Senior Materials Scientist - Advanced Polymers

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching

Professional development budget

Access to polymer synthesis facilities

Collaborative research environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Materials Scientist to lead R&D in Advanced Polymers from Soweto, designing, synthesizing, and characterizing polymers with enhanced properties for aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. You will guide projects from concept to prototype and mentor junior scientists.

This role requires a Ph.D. in a related field, 6+ years of polymer experience, and a proven track record in publications or patents.

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Science or related field with strong publication/patent record.
• 6+ years in polymer R&D focused on synthesis, processing, and structure–property studies.
• Experience leading research projects and mentoring junior scientists.
• Proficiency with NMR, FTIR, GPC, DSC, TGA, SEM or TEM analysis.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills for cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize novel polymers and composites.
• Use spectroscopy, chromatography, thermal analysis, and microscopy to assess performance.
• Develop polymerization processes and processing methods.
• Collaborate with engineering/product teams to translate innovations.
• Lead projects from concept to prototype and testing.
• Author reports, patents, and publications documenting findings.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Polymer characterization

Mentoring

Project leadership

Education

PhD in Polymer Science / Materials Science / Chemistry

Tools

NMR

FTIR

GPC

DSC

TGA

SEM

TEM

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly innovative and experienced Senior Materials Scientist to lead their research and development in Advanced Polymers in Soweto . This role is vital for designing, synthesizing, and characterizing novel polymeric materials with enhanced properties for a wide range of applications, including aerospace, automotive, and medical devices. You will guide research projects, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to intellectual property generation. This is an exceptional opportunity to work at the forefront of polymer science and contribute to the development of next-generation materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize novel polymers and polymer composites with tailored properties such as strength, thermal stability, and conductivity.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques including spectroscopy (NMR, FTIR), chromatography (GPC), thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), and microscopy (SEM, TEM) to evaluate material performance.
• Develop and optimize polymerization processes and material processing methods.
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to translate material innovations into practical applications.
• Lead research projects from conception through to prototype development and testing.
• Author technical reports, patent applications, and peer-reviewed publications to document research findings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in polymer research and development, with a strong publication or patent record.
• Proven expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization, and structure-property relationships.
• Hands-on experience with various polymerization techniques and advanced analytical instrumentation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research initiatives and mentor junior scientists.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a strong aptitude for problem-solving.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for significant bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Generous budget for professional development, including conferences and workshops.
• Access to state-of-the-art polymer synthesis and characterization facilities.
• A stimulating and collaborative research environment focused on innovation and discovery.