Senior Polymer Scientist

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Benefits package

Professional development

State-of-the-art facilities

Collaborative environment

Impact on next-generation materials

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging seeks a Senior Polymer Scientist to lead R&D in advanced polymers. You will design, synthesize and characterize novel materials, directing projects and collaborating cross-functionally to translate innovations into applications.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in polymer-related field and at least seven years of experience in polymer synthesis and characterization, with strong leadership and communication abilities in a dynamic research environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant industrial or academic research experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.
• Proven expertise in various polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, condensation, living polymerization).
• Strong understanding of structure-property relationships in polymers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and mentor junior scientists.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration in Vereeniging.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute synthetic routes for novel polymers with specific thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties.
• Characterize polymer structure, morphology, and properties using advanced analytical techniques (e.g., GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, rheology).
• Develop and optimize polymerization processes for scalability and reproducibility.
• Collaborate with product development teams to translate polymer innovations into commercial applications.
• Manage research projects, including resource allocation, timeline management, and budget oversight.
• Author technical reports, patent applications, and peer-reviewed publications.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Polymer characterization

Research project leadership

Mentoring junior scientists

Collaborative work

Communication skills

Education

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

Tools

GPC

NMR

DSC

TGA

Rheology

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Polymer Scientist to lead innovative research and development initiatives in the field of advanced polymers in Vereeniging . This position is key to designing, synthesizing, and characterizing novel polymeric materials with tailored properties for demanding applications. You will direct research projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to the intellectual property portfolio of the company. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced scientist to drive material innovation and shape the future of polymer technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute synthetic routes for novel polymers with specific thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties.


• Characterize polymer structure, morphology, and properties using advanced analytical techniques (e.g., GPC, NMR, DSC, TGA, rheology).


• Develop and optimize polymerization processes for scalability and reproducibility.


• Collaborate with product development teams to translate polymer innovations into commercial applications.


• Manage research projects, including resource allocation, timeline management, and budget oversight.


• Author technical reports, patent applications, and peer-reviewed publications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Polymer Science , Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.


• Minimum of 7 years of relevant industrial or academic research experience in polymer synthesis and characterization.


• Proven expertise in various polymerization techniques (e.g., free radical, condensation, living polymerization).


• Strong understanding of structure-property relationships in polymers.


• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and mentor junior scientists.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration in Vereeniging .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.


• Opportunities for professional development and attending scientific conferences.


• Access to state-of-the‑art polymer synthesis and characterization facilities.


• A dynamic and collaborative research environment focused on innovation.


• Significant impact on the development of next‑generation materials.