Senior Research Scientist - Materials Science

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and retirement benefits

Funding for professional development

Remote work flexibility

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for a Senior Research Scientist in Materials Science. This fully remote role in South Africa focuses on innovating materials, leading projects from concept to publication, with activities spanning nanomaterials, polymers, ceramics, and composites.

You will apply advanced characterization techniques, collaborate with partners, and mentor junior researchers while contributing to patents and scholarly work.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with strong materials science background.
• Minimum 5 years of post-PhD or industrial research experience.
• Proven ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of research projects in advanced materials science.
• Synthesize and characterize novel materials, including nanomaterials, polymers, ceramics, and composites.
• Utilize advanced analytical and spectroscopic techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, NMR, FTIR, XPS) for materials characterization.
• Evaluate material properties and performance for specific applications (energy, electronics, biomedical).
• Develop and optimize experimental protocols and methodologies.
• Collaborate with internal and external research partners to advance projects.
• Analyze and interpret complex experimental data, and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.
• Manage research budgets and timelines, and mentor junior researchers.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and technological advancements in materials science.
• Contribute to patent applications and the commercialization of new technologies.

Skills

Materials science expertise

Synthesis of materials

Characterization techniques

Publications experience

Education

PhD in Materials Science or related field

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

NMR

FTIR

XPS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge research institute situated in Bloemfontein, is seeking a visionary Senior Research Scientist specializing in Materials Science. This role is designed for an individual passionate about innovating new materials and processes with diverse applications. You will lead ambitious research projects, from conceptualization to publication, focusing on areas such as nanotechnology, polymers, or composites. The ideal candidate will possess a deep theoretical understanding and extensive practical experience in materials characterization, synthesis, and performance evaluation. This fully remote position allows you to contribute your expertise from anywhere, collaborating with a distinguished team and driving advancements in the field, with connections to the Free State academic hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of research projects in advanced materials science.
• Synthesize and characterize novel materials, including nanomaterials, polymers, ceramics, and composites.
• Utilize advanced analytical and spectroscopic techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, NMR, FTIR, XPS) for materials characterization.
• Evaluate material properties and performance for specific applications (e.g., energy, electronics, biomedical).
• Develop and optimize experimental protocols and methodologies.
• Collaborate with internal and external research partners to advance projects.
• Analyze and interpret complex experimental data, and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.
• Manage research budgets and timelines, and mentor junior researchers.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and technological advancements in materials science.
• Contribute to patent applications and the commercialization of new technologies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or equivalent industrial research experience in materials science.
• Demonstrated expertise in material synthesis, processing, and characterization.
• Proficiency with a range of advanced materials characterization techniques.
• Strong theoretical knowledge of materials science principles.
• Proven track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research tasks.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, essential for a remote role.
• Experience with computational materials modeling is a plus.

Benefits

This fully remote role offers significant flexibility and the opportunity to work from home. Our client provides a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health and retirement benefits, and funding for professional development. You will join a globally recognized research institution with access to state-of-the-art virtual collaboration tools and the chance to work on groundbreaking projects that advance the field of materials science, fostering innovation originating from the Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa context.