Research Scientist, Materials Science — Next-Gen Materials

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health and retirement

Opportunities for professional growth

Access to advanced labs in Paarl

Dynamic, collaborative work culture

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a creative Research Scientist in Materials Science to join its client in Paarl, South Africa. You will design, synthesize, characterize and evaluate next-generation materials, translating discoveries into practical solutions within a collaborative R&D environment. The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D.

or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or related engineering, with 3+ years' lab experience and strong skills in SEM/TEM, XRD/FTIR and DSC/TGA, plus excellent

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of research experience in materials synthesis, characterization, and testing.
• Proficiency with characterization techniques such as microscopy (SEM, TEM), spectroscopy (XRD, FTIR), and thermal analysis (DSC, TGA).
• Understanding of fundamental materials science concepts and processing techniques.
• Experience with computational materials modeling is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with excellent communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and process novel materials, including polymers, composites, or nanomaterials.
• Characterize material structure, properties, and performance using advanced analytical techniques.
• Investigate structure-property relationships to optimize material performance for specific applications.
• Conduct experimental studies to understand material degradation mechanisms and improve durability.
• Collaborate with engineers and product development teams to translate material innovations into practical solutions.
• Maintain detailed experimental records and prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Collaborative spirit

3+ years research experience

Education

Ph.D. or Master’s in Materials Science / Chemistry / Physics / related engineering

Tools

SEM/TEM microscopy

XRD/FTIR spectroscopy

DSC/TGA thermal analysis

Job description

Placements24 seeks a creative Research Scientist in Materials Science to join its client in Paarl, South Africa. You will design, synthesize, characterize and evaluate next-generation materials, translating discoveries into practical solutions within a collaborative R&D environment. The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D.

or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics or related engineering, with 3+ years' lab experience and strong skills in SEM/TEM, XRD/FTIR and DSC/TGA, plus excellent