Principal Research Scientist - Materials Science

Placements24; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 1,400,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonus

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Relocation assistance

Access to advanced research infra

Generous PTO and retirement plan

Culture of scientific excellence

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Research Scientist to spearhead materials science at their Rustenburg facility. This senior role includes leading strategic research, conceiving novel materials, and transitioning discoveries from lab to pilot-scale testing.

You will mentor junior scientists and collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams to realize practical applications. The position offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, relocation support if needed, and access

Qualifications

• PhD required in a relevant field.
• 10+ years of R&D leadership and publications.
• Proven leadership in managing complex research projects and driving innovation.
• Experience with materials synthesis and characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, spectroscopy).
• Strong understanding of structure–property relationships and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead long-term research strategies in advanced materials.
• Conduct fundamental and applied research in polymers, composites, or nanomaterials.
• Develop and characterize novel materials using analytical and testing techniques.
• Oversee scale-up and optimization of material synthesis and processing.
• Publish findings and present at international conferences.
• Mentor a team of research scientists and engineers.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

Spectroscopy

Mechanical testing

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a distinguished Principal Research Scientist to spearhead advancements in Materials Science at their state-of-the-art facility in Rustenburg . This senior role involves leading strategic research initiatives, conceptualizing novel materials, and driving their development from the laboratory bench through to pilot-scale testing. You will be a key technical leader, mentoring junior scientists and collaborating with engineering and manufacturing teams to translate discoveries into tangible applications. This is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of materials innovation in a dedicated, hands-on research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead long-term research strategies in advanced materials, identifying new frontiers and opportunities.
• Conduct fundamental and applied research in areas such as polymers, composites, or nanomaterials.
• Develop and characterize novel materials, employing a wide range of analytical and testing techniques.
• Oversee the scale-up and optimization of material synthesis and processing procedures.
• Publish research findings in top-tier scientific journals and present at international conferences.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to a team of research scientists and engineers.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Over 10 years of extensive experience in materials research and development, with a strong publication record.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing complex research projects and driving innovation.
• Expertise in materials synthesis, characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, spectroscopy), and mechanical testing.
• Strong understanding of material properties and structure-property relationships.
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking applied to scientific challenges.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with significant bonus potential.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Relocation assistance if required for candidates moving to Rustenburg.
• Access to world-class research infrastructure and advanced analytical instrumentation.
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.
• A culture that fosters scientific excellence and encourages ambitious research goals.