Research Associate - Polymer Chemistry

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Paid vacation

Training opportunities

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 is recruiting an enthusiastic Research Associate with a background in Polymer Chemistry to join its Port Elizabeth team in a hybrid role. You will participate in synthesis, characterization, and application testing of novel polymeric materials.

You will work with senior scientists to drive projects from concept to completion, contributing to advanced materials for various industrial applications in a collaborative research environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.
• Proficiency with common polymer characterization equipment and techniques.
• Good understanding of polymer structure-property relationships.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize and modify polymers using various polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, condensation).
• Characterize polymer properties using techniques such as GPC, NMR, DSC, and TGA.
• Formulate and process polymer-based materials for specific applications.
• Conduct performance testing and analyze results to guide further development.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and contribute to technical reports and presentations.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Polymer characterization

Laboratory techniques

Data analysis

Independent work

Education

Master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry

Tools

GPC

NMR

DSC

TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an enthusiastic Research Associate with a background in Polymer Chemistry to join their dynamic team in Port Elizabeth . This hybrid role offers a fantastic opportunity to contribute to innovative polymer research while enjoying a flexible work arrangement. You will be involved in the synthesis, characterization, and application testing of novel polymeric materials. Working closely with senior scientists, you will help drive projects from conception through to successful completion, contributing to the development of advanced materials for various industrial applications within a supportive and collaborative research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Synthesize and modify polymers using various polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, condensation).
• Characterize polymer properties using techniques such as GPC, NMR, DSC, and TGA.
• Formulate and process polymer-based materials for specific applications.
• Conduct performance testing and analyze results to guide further development.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and contribute to technical reports and presentations.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Polymer Chemistry , Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.
• Proficiency with common polymer characterization equipment and techniques.
• Good understanding of polymer structure-property relationships.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a research team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual review.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Paid vacation and public holidays.
• Opportunities for training and skill development.
• A collaborative and innovative research setting.