Senior Research Engineer - Materials Science

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Cutting-edge facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Welkom, Free State, South Africa is seeking a Senior Research Engineer to lead materials R&D efforts, develop and characterize advanced materials for applications in cutting-edge industries.

You will supervise projects, design experiments, and translate lab findings into potential commercial opportunities while collaborating with cross-functional teams in a dynamic research environment.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science or related field.
• 6+ years of professional materials research and development experience.
• Experience with materials characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, TGA).
• Ability to design and conduct complex experiments and analyze results.
• Strong project management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize new materials, focusing on advanced polymers, composites, or nanomaterials.
• Conduct rigorous testing and analysis of material properties, including mechanical, thermal, and electrical characteristics.
• Develop and optimize experimental protocols and testing methodologies for materials research.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and scientific teams to integrate new materials into product designs.
• Lead project teams, manage research timelines, and report on progress to stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in materials science and identify opportunities for innovation.

Skills

Materials characterization

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

DSC

TGA

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Engineer with expertise in Materials Science to join their pioneering team in Welkom . You will be at the forefront of developing and characterizing novel materials for advanced applications, working within a collaborative and innovative research setting. This role involves leading research projects, designing experiments, and translating laboratory findings into potential commercial applications. You will contribute to pushing the boundaries of material performance and functionality within the Free State province.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, synthesize, and characterize new materials, focusing on advanced polymers, composites, or nanomaterials.
• Conduct rigorous testing and analysis of material properties, including mechanical, thermal, and electrical characteristics.
• Develop and optimize experimental protocols and testing methodologies for materials research.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and scientific teams to integrate new materials into product designs.
• Lead project teams, manage research timelines, and report on progress to stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in materials science and identify opportunities for innovation.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in materials research and development.
• Demonstrated expertise in materials characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, TGA).
• Proven ability to design and conduct complex experiments and analyze results.
• Experience with computational modeling and simulation of material behavior is a plus.
• Strong project management and communication skills required for this role in Welkom .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and an attractive performance bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plans.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and further education.
• Access to cutting-edge research facilities and equipment.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment focused on innovation and scientific excellence.