Senior Materials Scientist

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Access to advanced labs

Job summary

Our client in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, seeks a Senior Materials Scientist to lead R&D on advanced materials for aerospace, energy and biomedical applications. You will conceptualize, synthesize, characterize, and test new compositions, and guide projects from idea to scale-up.

The role requires PhD and 6+ years of hands-on research, with SEM/TEM/XRD/XPS/DSC expertise and experience in CVD, PVD or additive manufacturing. Mentoring and collaboration are key parts of the role.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering or related discipline.
• 6+ years hands-on research in synthesis and characterization.
• Experience with advanced characterization equipment (electron microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal analysis).

Responsibilities

• Lead R&D projects to create novel materials with enhanced properties.
• Plan, conduct, and analyze experiments using SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, and DSC.
• Synthesize and process materials using CVD, PVD, and additive manufacturing.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to scale lab discoveries to industrial processes.
• Develop and optimize material testing protocols to evaluate performance.
• Troubleshoot material-related issues in product development and manufacturing.
• Author technical reports, papers, and patent applications.
• Mentor junior scientists and technicians.
• Stay abreast of trends in materials science and nanotechnology.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Problem solving

Independent work

Communication skills

Technical writing

Education

PhD in Materials Science or related

Tools

Electron microscopy

XRD

SEM

XPS

Thermal analysis

Computational modeling

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading advanced materials research and manufacturing company, is seeking an experienced Senior Materials Scientist to join their dynamic R&D division in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is crucial for driving innovation in the development of novel materials for applications in aerospace, energy, and biomedical sectors. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, synthesizing, characterizing, and testing new material compositions and structures. The position requires extensive hands-on laboratory work and a deep understanding of material properties at the atomic and microstructural levels. We are looking for a candidate with a proven track record in materials science research, capable of leading projects from conception through to scale-up. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to significant technological advancements within a collaborative and forward-thinking team based in Durban .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research and development projects focused on creating novel materials with enhanced properties (e.g., strength, conductivity, thermal resistance).
• Plan, conduct, and analyze experiments using advanced characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, and DSC.
• Synthesize and process new materials using methods including chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), and additive manufacturing.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate laboratory-scale discoveries into viable industrial processes.
• Develop and optimize material testing protocols to evaluate performance under various conditions.
• Troubleshoot material-related issues encountered during product development and manufacturing.
• Author technical reports, research papers, and patent applications.
• Mentor junior scientists and technicians, providing guidance on experimental design and data interpretation.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends and breakthroughs in materials science and nanotechnology.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of hands-on research experience in materials science, with a strong focus on synthesis and characterization.
• Proficiency with advanced materials characterization equipment (e.g., electron microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal analysis).
• Experience with computational materials modeling and simulation is a plus.
• Strong understanding of phase transformations, thermodynamics, and kinetics of materials.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research initiatives and mentor junior staff.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and presentations.
• Must be comfortable working in a laboratory environment with relevant safety protocols.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance coverage, and a retirement savings plan.
• Employees benefit from access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and cutting-edge equipment.
• Opportunities for professional growth, attending industry conferences, and continuous learning are provided.
• This role offers the chance to work on challenging and innovative projects that have a real-world impact.
• The company fosters a strong team culture and encourages collaboration.
• Join our client’s dedicated team in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal , and contribute to the future of advanced materials.