Research Scientist - Materials Engineering

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,916,000 - 2,874,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Flexible hours

Professional growth opportunities

Access to HPC resources

Work-life balance culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a forward-thinking Research Scientist in Materials Engineering to join their globally distributed R&D team. This fully remote role focuses on conceptualization, design, and testing of advanced materials with applications in renewables, electronics, and aerospace.

You will work autonomously, apply computational modeling and virtual experimentation, and collaborate with experimental teams to guide synthesis.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Engineering, or a related field with a computational focus.
• Proven experience in materials modeling and simulation (DFT, MD, FEM).
• Proficiency in Python, C++, or Fortran and scientific computing environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate material structures using computational modeling tools.
• Analyze results to predict properties and performance.
• Collaborate with experimental teams to validate findings.
• Develop new models and algorithms for materials discovery.
• Prepare technical reports, papers, and patents.
• Stay current with state-of-the-art in computational materials science.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Independent researcher

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Materials Science or related field

Tools

Python

C++

Fortran

DFT/MD/FEM

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a forward-thinking Research Scientist in Materials Engineering to join their globally distributed R&D team. This fully remote role allows you to contribute to groundbreaking material innovations from anywhere. You will be involved in the conceptualization, design, and testing of advanced materials with applications in renewable energy, electronics, and aerospace. This position requires a high degree of autonomy, scientific rigor, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of material science through computational modeling and virtual experimentation. Join a collaborative, innovative culture focused on solving complex global challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and simulate novel material structures and compositions using computational modeling tools.
• Analyze and interpret simulation results to predict material properties and performance.
• Collaborate virtually with experimental research teams to validate simulation findings and guide material synthesis.
• Develop new theoretical models and algorithms for materials discovery and design.
• Write comprehensive technical reports, research papers, and patent applications.
• Stay current with the state-of-the-art in computational materials science and relevant application domains.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field with a strong focus on computational methods.
• Demonstrated experience in materials modeling and simulation (e.g., DFT, MD, FEM).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python , C++, or Fortran, and expertise in scientific computing environments.
• Strong understanding of material thermodynamics, kinetics, and structure-property relationships.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a capacity for independent research.
• Effective communication skills for collaboration in a remote, international team environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Opportunities for significant professional growth and involvement in high-impact projects.
• Access to advanced simulation software and high-performance computing resources.
• A culture that values innovation, scientific excellence, and work-life balance.