Senior Chemist - Materials Science

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness benefits

Professional development allowance

Laboratory equipment access

Competitive salary

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Chemist with expertise in Materials Science to join the Durban-based R&D team. You will lead discovery, development, and characterization of novel materials with advanced properties for a range of industrial applications.

The role requires a Ph.D. in Chemistry or Materials Science, 6+ years of industrial research experience, and hands-on work with advanced material characterization techniques.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant industrial R&D experience in materials.
• Expertise in synthetic organic/inorganic chemistry and polymer chemistry.
• Hands-on experience with advanced material characterization techniques.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills; able to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Research synthesis, processing, and characterization of new materials (polymers, composites, nanomaterials).
• Design and perform experiments using spectroscopy, chromatography, and thermal analysis.
• Develop and optimize chemical processes for scalable production.
• Analyze material properties and relate to structure and processing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support Durban product development.

Skills

Materials science

Polymer chemistry

Analytical skills

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry/Materials Science

Tools

NMR

IR

GC

HPLC

DSC/TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an innovative Senior Chemist with expertise in Materials Science to join their dynamic research and development team based in Durban . In this role, you will be instrumental in the discovery, development, and characterization of novel materials with advanced properties for diverse industrial applications. You will lead projects from conception through to implementation, collaborating with engineers and researchers to translate material innovations into tangible products. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact in a fast-paced R&D environment that values creativity and scientific rigor.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced research into the synthesis, processing, and characterization of new materials, including polymers, composites, and nanomaterials.
• Design and perform experiments using techniques such as spectroscopy (NMR, IR, UV-Vis), chromatography (GC, HPLC), and thermal analysis (DSC, TGA).
• Develop and optimize chemical processes for material production, ensuring scalability and cost-effectiveness.
• Analyze material properties (mechanical, thermal, electrical) and relate them to their chemical structure and processing conditions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot material-related issues and support product development initiatives in Durban .

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant industrial research experience, preferably in a materials-focused R&D setting.
• Proven expertise in synthetic organic or inorganic chemistry and polymer chemistry.
• Hands-on experience with advanced material characterization techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the capacity to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Generous allowance for professional development and attendance at industry conferences.
• Access to sophisticated laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation.
• A stimulating and innovative research environment dedicated to material science advancements in Durban .