Research Scientist - Computational Chemistry

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Conferences access

Compute clusters

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Research Scientist specialized in Computational Chemistry to join their Soweto team. You will develop and apply advanced computational models and simulations to understand chemical reactions, molecular properties, and material behavior.

The role involves coordinating with experimental chemists, publishing findings, and maintaining computational resources in a collaborative environment within a mixed academic and industrial research setting.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Proven experience in applying computational chemistry techniques to solve chemical problems.
• Proficiency with computational chemistry software packages (e.g., Gaussian, VASP, AMBER).
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python) and scripting for workflow automation.
• Solid understanding of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and chemical kinetics.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex results effectively.

Responsibilities

• Perform molecular modeling, quantum chemical calculations, and molecular dynamics simulations to study chemical systems.
• Develop and validate computational methods for predicting molecular properties and reaction mechanisms.
• Analyze and interpret simulation results, collaborating with experimental chemists to guide research directions.
• Integrate computational findings with experimental data to provide comprehensive insights.
• Maintain and update computational software and hardware resources.
• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations based on computational research findings.

Skills

Molecular modeling

Quantum chemistry

MD simulations

Python programming

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Computational Chemistry

Tools

Gaussian

VASP

AMBER

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a skilled Research Scientist specializing in Computational Chemistry to join their team in Soweto . This role is integral to leveraging computational methods to accelerate discovery in chemistry and materials science. You will develop and apply advanced computational models and simulations to understand chemical reactions, molecular properties, and material behavior. This is an exciting opportunity for a computational chemist to contribute to innovative research and development within a supportive academic and industrial research setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform molecular modeling, quantum chemical calculations, and molecular dynamics simulations to study chemical systems.
• Develop and validate computational methods for predicting molecular properties and reaction mechanisms.
• Analyze and interpret simulation results, collaborating with experimental chemists to guide research directions.
• Integrate computational findings with experimental data to provide comprehensive insights.
• Maintain and update computational software and hardware resources.
• Contribute to scientific publications and presentations based on computational research findings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry, Theoretical Chemistry, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Proven experience in applying computational chemistry techniques to solve chemical problems.
• Proficiency with computational chemistry software packages (e.g., Gaussian, VASP, AMBER).
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python) and experience with scripting for workflow automation.
• Solid understanding of quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and chemical kinetics.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex results effectively.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and potential for research project funding.
• Comprehensive health benefits and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional growth and attending scientific conferences.
• Access to powerful computing clusters and specialized software in Soweto .
• A collaborative environment focused on pushing the boundaries of chemical research.