Senior Polymer Chemist

Placements24; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Advanced labs

Collaborative team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Polymer Chemist for its advanced materials research team in Port Elizabeth. You will lead synthesis, modification, and formulation of high-performance polymers for automotive, packaging, and medical devices.

You will drive lab-scale and pilot-scale projects, optimize polymerization processes, and translate discoveries into commercially viable products, while collaborating with cross-functional teams. The position requires a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of industrial polymer R&D experience.
• Expertise in polymerization techniques, polymer characterization, and structure-property relationships.
• Experience with polymer processing and applications development is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel polymers and copolymers with specific thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties.
• Characterize polymer structure, morphology, and properties using techniques such as GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, and mechanical testing.
• Develop and optimize polymerization processes, including emulsion, solution, and bulk polymerization methods.
• Formulate polymer blends and composites to achieve desired performance characteristics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate laboratory findings into commercially viable products.

Skills

Polymerization techniques

Polymer characterization

Structure-property relationships

Analytical skills

Education

PhD in Polymer Chemistry/Polymer Science

Tools

GPC

NMR

DSC

TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Senior Polymer Chemist to join their advanced materials research team in Port Elizabeth . This role is crucial for the development and characterization of innovative polymer materials for applications in automotive, packaging, and medical devices. You will lead projects focused on polymer synthesis, modification, and formulation, ensuring high performance and sustainability. The ideal candidate will possess a strong theoretical understanding of polymer science coupled with practical experience in laboratory-scale and pilot-scale synthesis, driving the company's polymer innovation pipeline and contributing to its market leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and synthesize novel polymers and copolymers with specific thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties.
• Characterize polymer structure, morphology, and properties using techniques such as GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, and mechanical testing.
• Develop and optimize polymerization processes, including emulsion, solution, and bulk polymerization methods.
• Formulate polymer blends and composites to achieve desired performance characteristics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate laboratory findings into commercially viable products.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in polymer research and development within an industrial setting.
• Strong expertise in polymerization techniques, polymer characterization, and structure-property relationships.
• Experience with polymer processing and applications development is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and potential for performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and retirement benefits.
• Support for professional development, including workshops and conferences.
• Access to advanced polymer synthesis and characterization laboratories.
• A collaborative team environment focused on innovation in Port Elizabeth .