Senior Materials Scientist — Hybrid Research Leader

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Advanced facilities

Professional development

Conference attendance

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Research Chemist to lead the Materials Science division in Pretoria, focusing on developing novel materials and guiding complex synthesis and characterization projects. The role combines hands-on lab work with strategic research directions.

The successful candidate will mentor junior chemists, collaborate with engineers to bring innovations toward market readiness, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of post-doctoral or industrial experience in chemical research and development.
• Strong expertise in organic or inorganic synthesis, polymer chemistry, or solid-state chemistry.
• Proficiency with advanced analytical instrumentation (e.g., NMR, Mass Spectrometry, XRD, SEM).
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize new materials using advanced chemical techniques.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of material properties, including thermal, mechanical, and electrical characteristics.
• Troubleshoot synthesis and characterization processes, developing innovative solutions to technical challenges.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and product development teams to translate research findings into viable applications.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare comprehensive reports on research progress and findings.
• Supervise and mentor junior chemists and technicians, fostering a productive and safe laboratory environment in Pretoria.

Skills

Chemical synthesis

Research leadership

Analytical instrumentation

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Chemistry

PhD in Materials Science

Tools

NMR

Mass Spectrometry

XRD

SEM

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Research Chemist to lead the Materials Science division in Pretoria, focusing on developing novel materials and guiding complex synthesis and characterization projects. The role combines hands-on lab work with strategic research directions.

The successful candidate will mentor junior chemists, collaborate with engineers to bring innovations toward market readiness, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.