Research Engineer - Advanced Materials Characterization

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Relocation assistance

Access to world-class facilities

Cutting-edge materials research

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Research Engineer in Advanced Materials Characterization to join its Upington R&D facility. You will operate and maintain SEM, TEM, XRD and spectroscopy instruments to analyze material microstructures and properties.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics with 4+ years of hands-on experience in materials characterization and data interpretation, contributing to innovative developments and techniques in Upington.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in a related field.
• 4+ years hands-on materials characterization experience.
• Proficiency with SEM/TEM, XRD and spectroscopic methods.
• Strong understanding of structure–property relationships.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain and calibrate advanced characterization instruments (SEM, TEM, XRD, spectroscopy).
• Develop and optimize experimental methods for analyzing microstructures and properties.
• Analyze data, generate reports and documentation.
• Collaborate with researchers to define characterization needs for new projects.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues to ensure high-quality data acquisition.

Skills

Materials characterization

Analytical thinking

Experimental design

Independent & collaborative work

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science/Mechanical Engineering/Physics

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

Spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled Research Engineer specializing in Advanced Materials Characterization to join their state-of-the-art R&D facility in Upington . This role is critical for understanding the fundamental properties and performance of novel materials through sophisticated analytical techniques. You will operate and maintain advanced characterization equipment, design experimental protocols, and interpret complex data to support materials development and innovation. The ideal candidate possesses a strong engineering or physics background and a deep understanding of material science principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and calibrate advanced characterization instruments, such as SEM, TEM, XRD, and spectroscopy equipment.
• Develop and optimize experimental methods for analyzing material microstructures, compositions, and properties.
• Conduct detailed analysis of experimental data, generating comprehensive reports and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with research scientists and engineers to define material characterization needs for new projects.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and implement solutions to ensure high-quality data acquisition.
• Contribute to the development of new characterization techniques and protocols in Upington .

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience in materials characterization techniques and instrumentation.
• Proficiency with electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and various spectroscopic methods.
• Strong understanding of material science principles and structure-property relationships.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research laboratory environment in Upington .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and training on new equipment and techniques.
• Access to world-class materials characterization facilities.
• A stimulating work environment focused on cutting-edge materials research.
• Contribution to innovations in various high-technology sectors.
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates moving to Upington .