Principal Scientist - Materials Science

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonuses tied to milestones

Professional development support

Access to cutting-edge equipment

Collaborative research environment

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa seeks a distinguished Principal Scientist to lead materials science initiatives at their state-of-the-art Rustenburg facility. You will drive research directions, manage experimental programs, and translate discoveries into scalable material solutions.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Materials Science and 10+ years in R&D, with deep expertise in polymer, ceramic, or composite systems, and a proven leadership record in securing grants and publishing widely.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a materials-related field.
• 10+ years in materials R&D focusing on polymers, ceramics, or composites.
• Expertise in material characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, spectroscopy).
• Proven ability to lead projects from concept to commercialization and publish in journals.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee advanced materials research initiatives.
• Design experiments to synthesize, characterize, and test new material compositions.
• Develop processing techniques and optimize manufacturing methods.
• Collaborate with engineering to integrate materials into products.
• Publish high-impact papers and present at conferences.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to scientists and engineers.

Skills

Materials science

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

Spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a distinguished Principal Scientist to lead advancements in Materials Science at their state-of-the-art research facility in Rustenburg . This senior role is critical for driving innovation in the development of novel materials with superior properties for a wide range of industrial applications. You will be responsible for conceptualizing research directions, managing experimental programs, and translating laboratory discoveries into scalable material solutions. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of material characterization, processing, and performance evaluation, alongside a proven ability to lead and mentor scientific teams. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of materials technology and make a significant contribution to the scientific community.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee research initiatives in the field of advanced materials development.
• Design and conduct experiments to synthesize, characterize, and test new material compositions.
• Develop innovative material processing techniques and optimize existing manufacturing methods.
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to integrate new materials into commercial products.
• Author high-impact publications and present research findings at international conferences.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of scientists and engineers.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in materials research and development, with a focus on polymers, ceramics, or composites.
• Demonstrated expertise in material characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, spectroscopy).
• Proven ability to lead research projects from concept to commercialization.
• Strong track record of securing grants and publishing in leading scientific journals.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Benefits

• A highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Generous annual bonus tied to research milestones and company performance.
• Support for continuous professional development, including workshops and conferences.
• Access to cutting-edge laboratory equipment and resources in Rustenburg .
• A dynamic and collaborative research environment fostering innovation and scientific excellence.