Senior Materials Scientist - Polymers

Placements24; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings

Paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a visionary Senior Materials Scientist specializing in polymers to drive innovation in our R&D division. You will lead research projects, design and synthesize novel polymeric materials, and perform in-depth characterization to push the boundaries of polymer science.

You will collaborate with engineering teams, contribute to technical reports and publications, and help translate discoveries into commercial products. A Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry or related field.
• Minimum 5 years hands-on research in polymer science and engineering.
• Proven expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization, and processing.
• Proficiency with analytical/spectroscopic techniques for polymer analysis.
• Strong understanding of structure–property relationships in polymers.
• Excellent problem-solving and passion for innovation in materials science.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on synthesis, characterization, and application of advanced polymeric materials.
• Use DSC, TGA, FTIR, NMR, and GPC for material characterization.
• Develop protocols for material testing and performance evaluation.
• Study structure–property relationships to optimize polymers.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate innovations into products.
• Contribute to technical reports, patents, and publications.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Polymer science

Research leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Science, or Chemistry

Tools

DSC

TGA

FTIR

NMR

GPC

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary Senior Materials Scientist specializing in polymers to join their innovative research and development division in Pretoria . This role is integral to developing novel polymeric materials with enhanced properties for diverse applications. You will lead research projects, conduct in-depth material characterization, and contribute to the design and synthesis of next-generation polymers. This is an excellent opportunity to drive material innovation in a leading scientific institution, collaborating with a talented team to push the boundaries of polymer science and contribute significantly to the technological advancements originating from Pretoria .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research initiatives in the synthesis, characterization, and application of advanced polymeric materials.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques such as DSC, TGA, FTIR, NMR, and GPC for material characterization.
• Develop and implement experimental protocols for material testing and performance evaluation.
• Investigate structure-property relationships to optimize material performance for specific applications.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate material innovations into commercial products.
• Contribute to technical reports, patents, and scientific publications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on research experience in polymer science and engineering.
• Demonstrated expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization, and processing.
• Proficiency with various analytical and spectroscopic techniques relevant to polymer analysis .
• Strong understanding of structure-property relationships in polymeric materials.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and a passion for innovation in materials science .

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan with employer match.
• Paid time off for vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• A dynamic research environment in Pretoria , offering significant career growth potential.