Senior Materials Scientist - Polymers and Composites

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Access to lab facilities

Retirement plan

Conference participation

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Materials Scientist to lead R&D efforts in advanced polymers and composites in East London. You will drive development, processing, and characterization of new materials for demanding industrial applications, collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and product teams.

The ideal candidate has a PhD and at least 6 years of polymers/composites experience, with strong material characterization skills and a track record of publication or patent activity.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive research experience in polymers and composites.
• Extensive hands-on experience with material characterization techniques relevant to polymers and composites.
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, physics, and mechanics.
• Proven experience in material formulation and processing.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and lead research projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new polymer and composite materials with tailored properties.
• Design and conduct experiments for material synthesis, formulation, processing, and characterization.
• Utilize advanced characterization techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, FTIR, DMA, tensile testing, microscopy) to evaluate material performance.
• Investigate structure-property relationships in polymers and composites.
• Develop and optimize processing methods for polymer and composite materials (e.g., extrusion, injection molding, layup).
• Collaborate with engineering teams to define material requirements and test prototypes.
• Troubleshoot material-related issues in product development and manufacturing.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and technicians in the materials science team.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in polymer and composite materials science.
• Contribute to technical publications, patent applications, and internal reports.

Skills

Polymer science

Composite mechanics

Material characterization

Experiment design

Leadership

Technical reporting

Education

PhD in Materials Science/Polymer Science/Chemical Engineering

Tools

DSC

TGA

FTIR

DMA

Microscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a prominent leader in advanced materials manufacturing, renowned for its innovative work in high-performance polymers and composite materials. We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Materials Scientist to join our dynamic R&D department in East London . This critical role involves leading the development, characterization, and application of novel polymeric and composite materials for demanding industrial applications. You will be at the forefront of exploring new formulations, processing techniques, and understanding material behavior under extreme conditions. The ideal candidate will possess a deep expertise in polymer science, composite mechanics, and extensive experience with material characterization techniques. You will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and product development teams to drive innovation from concept to commercialization. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research, mentor junior scientists, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of advanced materials within a leading organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of new polymer and composite materials with tailored properties.
• Design and conduct experiments for material synthesis, formulation, processing, and characterization.
• Utilize advanced characterization techniques (e.g., DSC, TGA, FTIR, DMA, tensile testing, microscopy) to evaluate material performance.
• Investigate structure-property relationships in polymers and composites.
• Develop and optimize processing methods for polymer and composite materials (e.g., extrusion, injection molding, layup).
• Collaborate with engineering teams to define material requirements and test prototypes.
• Troubleshoot material-related issues in product development and manufacturing.
• Mentor and guide junior scientists and technicians in the materials science team.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in polymer and composite materials science.
• Contribute to technical publications, patent applications, and internal reports.

Requirements

• PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive research experience in polymers and composites.
• Extensive hands-on experience with material characterization techniques relevant to polymers and composites.
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, physics, and mechanics.
• Proven experience in material formulation and processing.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and lead research projects.
• Experience with computational modeling of materials is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and conference participation.
• Access to advanced laboratory facilities and testing equipment.
• Retirement savings plan with employer matching.
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates.
• Dynamic and innovative work environment.
• Employee wellness programs.
• Recognition for innovation and contributions.