Senior Computational Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and performance‑drI

Health and retirement benefits

Generous paid time off

Access to advanced computing resources

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Computational Scientist for our client in Klerksdorp, North West. The role involves developing advanced computational models, running large-scale simulations, and collaborating with experimental teams to drive innovation.

You will translate complex scientific problems into scalable computational solutions, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to cutting-edge materials science, cheminformatics, or bioinformatics research in a state-of-the-art facility.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Science, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in computational modeling, simulation, or data science within a research environment.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Fortran.
• Experience with scientific computing libraries and frameworks (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments and parallel programming.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific problems into computational solutions.
• Experience in the North West region or in industrial R&D is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize computational models and algorithms for scientific problems.
• Perform complex simulations and data analysis using high-performance computing resources.
• Collaborate with experimental research teams to interpret data and guide research strategies.
• Visualize and present complex computational results clearly.
• Stay abreast of advancements in computational science and software development.
• Contribute to the design and execution of computational aspects of research projects.
• Mentor junior computational scientists and assist in technical training.
• Maintain high-quality code and documentation for tools and workflows.
• Identify opportunities for applying new computational techniques to solve challenges.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Collaboration

Problem solving

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Computational Science or related field

Tools

Python

C++

Fortran

NumPy

SciPy

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in Scientific Research & Development, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Computational Scientist to join their team in Klerksdorp, North West. This role is central to leveraging advanced computational methods and simulations to tackle complex scientific challenges. You will be involved in developing and applying sophisticated algorithms, modeling complex systems, and analyzing large datasets to drive innovation in areas such as materials science, cheminformatics, or bioinformatics. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in computer science, applied mathematics, or a relevant scientific discipline, combined with expertise in programming and high-performance computing. This position requires a meticulous and analytical mindset, with a passion for using computational power to unlock scientific insights. Working in our client's advanced research facility in Klerksdorp, you will collaborate with experimental scientists to interpret results and design future research directions. Your expertise will be critical in accelerating discovery and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and optimize computational models and algorithms for scientific problems.
• Perform complex simulations and data analysis using high-performance computing resources.
• Collaborate with experimental research teams to interpret data and guide research strategies.
• Visualize and present complex computational results in a clear and understandable manner.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in computational science, software development, and relevant scientific domains.
• Contribute to the design and execution of computational aspects of research projects.
• Mentor junior computational scientists and assist in technical training.
• Maintain high-quality code and documentation for computational tools and workflows.
• Identify opportunities for applying new computational techniques to solve research challenges.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Science, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in computational modeling, simulation, or data science within a research environment.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or Fortran.
• Experience with scientific computing libraries and frameworks (e.g., NumPy, SciPy, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments and parallel programming.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific problems into computational solutions.
• Experience in the North West region or in industrial R&D is preferred.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefits.
• Generous paid time off and professional development opportunities.
• Access to state-of-the-art computing infrastructure.
• A dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment.
• Opportunities for career growth and leadership.
• Supportive team culture focused on innovation.