Research Chemist - Polymer Science

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement fund

Patent opportunities

Access to advanced lab equipment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a dedicated Research Chemist (Polymer Science) to join a state-of-the-art facility in Richards Bay, South Africa. You will design, synthesize and characterize polymers, driving projects from concept to potential commercialization.

The ideal candidate has a PhD in Chemistry/Polymer Science or Materials Science with at least 5 years of polymer synthesis/characterization in industry or academia, plus strong communication to present complex findings.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on polymer synthesis and characterization in industrial or academic settings.
• Proficiency with polymer characterization techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of structure–property relationships in polymers.
• Experience with computational modeling or simulation of polymers is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize and modify polymers using various polymerization techniques.
• Characterize polymer properties using techniques like GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, FTIR.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate polymer performance in target applications.
• Troubleshoot synthesis and characterization challenges to develop solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate findings into tangible products.
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks and prepare technical reports and presentations.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Polymer characterization

Structure-property relationships

Computational modeling

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Polymer Science/Materials Science

Tools

GPC

NMR

DSC

TGA

FTIR

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated and innovative Research Chemist with a specialization in Polymer Science to join their state-of-the-art research facility in Richards Bay. This role is integral to the development of novel polymeric materials with enhanced properties for a wide range of industrial applications. You will be responsible for designing, synthesizing, and characterizing new polymers, driving projects from conception through to potential commercialization. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of polymerization techniques, material characterization methods, and a passion for creating advanced materials that meet evolving market demands, contributing significantly to the company's materials innovation portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Synthesize and modify polymers using various polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, condensation, anionic).
• Characterize polymer properties using advanced analytical techniques such as GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, and FTIR.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate polymer performance in target applications, such as coatings, adhesives, or composites.
• Troubleshoot synthesis and characterization challenges, developing creative solutions to complex problems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineers and product developers, to translate research findings into tangible products.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports and presentations on research progress and findings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in polymer synthesis and characterization in an industrial or academic research setting.
• Proficiency with a range of polymer characterization techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of structure-property relationships in polymeric materials.
• Experience with computational modeling or simulation of polymers is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly present complex scientific information.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement fund contribution and savings plans.
• Opportunities for patent filings and professional development.
• Access to advanced laboratory equipment and a supportive research environment.