Senior Materials Scientist - Advanced Polymers

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Retirement annuity

Performance-based bonuses

Health insurance coverage

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a Senior Materials Scientist specializing in advanced polymers to lead development and characterization of novel polymeric materials for cutting-edge applications. You will translate research into product innovations, working with product development, engineering, and manufacturing teams.

The role demands a Ph.D. in polymer science or related field, with 7+ years of experience, and hands-on expertise in synthesis, characterization, and processing of polymers,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in a polymer-related field and strong research background.
• 7+ years of relevant industrial or academic research experience in polymer science.
• Proven expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization, and processing.
• Hands-on experience with a wide range of analytical techniques (GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, SEM, TEM, Rheology).
• Strong understanding of polymer physics and chemistry principles.
• Experience with computational modeling of polymer behavior is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel polymer materials with tailored properties for specific applications.
• Conduct comprehensive material characterization using spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing.
• Develop and optimize processing methods for new polymer formulations.
• Investigate structure-property relationships in polymeric materials.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate new materials into product designs.
• Troubleshoot material-related issues in pilot and production environments.
• Lead research projects from conception through to material scale-up and validation.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports and presentations.
• Stay current with advancements in polymer science and related fields.
• Mentor junior scientists and technicians in the materials research group.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Polymer characterization

Polymer processing

Analytical techniques

Computational modeling

Education

Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Tools

GPC

NMR

DSC

TGA

SEM

TEM

Rheology

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a globally recognized leader in advanced materials science, currently seeking a highly skilled Senior Materials Scientist specializing in advanced polymers. This critical role is based in our state-of-the-art research facility in Cape Town, Western Cape. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the development and characterization of novel polymeric materials with unique properties for cutting-edge applications. You will play a key part in translating fundamental research into tangible product innovations, working closely with cross-functional teams including product development, engineering, and manufacturing. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on challenging projects in a dynamic and collaborative research environment, contributing to the company’s reputation for innovation and technological excellence. We are looking for an individual with a strong scientific foundation and a passion for material innovation in the polymer field.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel polymer materials with tailored properties for specific applications.
• Conduct comprehensive material characterization using techniques such as spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal analysis, and mechanical testing.
• Develop and optimize processing methods for new polymer formulations.
• Investigate structure-property relationships in polymeric materials.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to integrate new materials into product designs.
• Troubleshoot material-related issues in pilot and production environments.
• Lead research projects from conception through to material scale-up and validation.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports and presentations.
• Stay current with advancements in polymer science and related fields.
• Mentor junior scientists and technicians in the materials research group.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant industrial or academic research experience in polymer science.
• Proven expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization, and processing.
• Hands-on experience with a wide range of analytical techniques (e.g., GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, SEM, TEM, Rheology).
• Strong understanding of polymer physics and chemistry principles.
• Experience with computational modeling of polymer behavior is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage research projects and work effectively in a team environment.
• A track record of innovation, demonstrated through patents or publications, is highly desirable.

Benefits

• This position in Cape Town comes with a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
• This includes an excellent retirement annuity contribution, performance-based bonuses, and extensive health insurance coverage encompassing medical, dental, and optical care.
• Our client invests in its employees’ professional development, offering opportunities for advanced training, conference participation, and further academic study.
• Employees benefit from a supportive work-life balance, including generous annual leave and potential for flexible working arrangements depending on project needs.
• You will have access to world-class laboratory facilities and equipment, fostering an environment of continuous learning and groundbreaking discovery.
• Career progression opportunities are significant within this globally expanding organization, recognizing and rewarding exceptional talent and dedication to scientific advancement.