Senior Physicist - Applied Research

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Budget for professional development

State-of-the-art facilities in Sandton

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton seeks a Senior Physicist to lead Applied Research in our advanced R&D department. The role requires a strong theoretical foundation with hands-on experimental design and analysis, translating physics into practical applications, and contributing to IP development.

You will mentor junior researchers, collaborate with engineers across disciplines, and drive projects from concept to testing in state-of-the-art facilities at our Sandton headquarters.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics or a related field is required.
• Minimum 7 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in applied physics.
• Strong experimental design, data acquisition, and analysis skills.
• Proficiency with MATLAB and Python and related simulation tools.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and analyze complex physics experiments relevant to applied research goals.
• Develop theoretical models and simulations to predict and explain physical phenomena.
• Oversee the development and implementation of experimental apparatus and instrumentation.
• Interpret experimental results and prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentations.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists across disciplines to integrate physics-based solutions into products and systems.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the strategic direction of the research department.

Skills

Experimental design

Data analysis

Python

MATLAB

Problem solving

Education

PhD in Physics

Post-doctoral experience or 7+ years in industry

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Simulation tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Physicist to lead challenging projects in Applied Research within their advanced R&D department in Sandton . This role demands a strong theoretical foundation in physics coupled with practical experience in experimental design and analysis. You will be instrumental in developing and testing new technologies, translating fundamental scientific principles into practical applications, and contributing to intellectual property development. The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver with a proven history of innovation and collaboration. This is a premier opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge scientific advancements and shape future technologies from our Sandton headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, conduct, and analyze complex physics experiments relevant to applied research goals.
• Develop theoretical models and simulations to predict and explain physical phenomena.
• Oversee the development and implementation of experimental apparatus and instrumentation.
• Interpret experimental results and prepare detailed technical reports, documentation, and presentations.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists across disciplines to integrate physics-based solutions into products and systems.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the strategic direction of the research department.

Requirements

• PhD in Physics or a related field with a strong emphasis on experimental or applied physics.
• A minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in applied physics research.
• Deep understanding of classical and modern physics principles, with expertise in at least one specialized area (e.g., optics, electromagnetism, condensed matter).
• Proven experience in experimental design, data acquisition, and analysis using sophisticated instrumentation.
• Proficiency with scientific programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python) and simulation tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• A leading annual salary complemented by performance-based incentives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance packages.
• Retirement plan with significant company contributions.
• Substantial budget for professional development, including workshops, conferences, and publications.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment in Sandton.
• A stimulating and collaborative research environment fostering innovation.