Research Chemist - Polymer Science

Placements24; Stellenbosch Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Hybrid work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 in Paarl seeks an innovative Research Chemist specializing in Polymer Science to join our R&D team. You will design, synthesize, and characterize novel polymeric materials for advanced applications, collaborating with a multidisciplinary group to translate findings into future products.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD or Master’s in Polymer Chemistry or related field, with 4+ years of hands-on polymer synthesis and characterization, and experience with GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, and FTIR.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field.
• 4+ years of hands-on research experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.
• Solid knowledge of polymerization mechanisms and characterization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize and characterize novel polymers using diverse polymerization methods.
• Study structure-property relationships with GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, FTIR.
• Develop and optimize polymerization processes for target properties.
• Formulate and process materials for end-use applications and test performance.
• Collaborate with engineers and product teams to translate findings into concepts.
• Maintain research records and contribute to publications.

Skills

Polymerization techniques

Polymer synthesis

Structure-property analysis

GPC

NMR

DSC

FTIR

Education

PhD or Master's in Polymer Chemistry

Tools

GPC

NMR

DSC

TGA

Microscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative Research Chemist specializing in Polymer Science to join their R&D team in Paarl . This role focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel polymeric materials for advanced applications. You will be integral in exploring new material properties, optimizing synthesis techniques, and contributing to the development of next-generation products. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge research, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and contribute to significant advancements in material science within a supportive and innovative research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Synthesize and characterize novel polymers using a range of polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, condensation, anionic).
• Investigate structure-property relationships of synthesized polymers using advanced analytical methods (e.g., GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, FTIR).
• Develop and optimize polymerization processes to achieve desired molecular weights, compositions, and architectures.
• Formulate and process polymeric materials for specific end-use applications, evaluating their performance.
• Collaborate with materials engineers and product development teams to translate research findings into viable product concepts.
• Maintain comprehensive research records and contribute to patent applications and scientific publications.

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on research experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.
• Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of various polymerization mechanisms and techniques.
• Proficiency with characterization techniques such as GPC , NMR , DSC , and microscopy.
• Experience with polymer processing techniques and material performance testing.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented research setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentive program.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Generous paid time off and opportunities for professional development.
• A stimulating research environment in the picturesque region of Paarl , with hybrid work flexibility.