Senior Research Scientist - Materials Science

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health & wellness benefits

Professional development support

Generous paid time off

Access to state-of-the-art equipment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Research Scientist to drive advanced materials research in Mahikeng. You will lead projects, synthesize and characterize new materials, and apply analytical techniques to understand performance. Collaboration across teams and contributions to publications and IP are encouraged.

The role offers access to state-of-the-art facilities, generous benefits, and opportunities for professional development within a forward-looking materials science division.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field required.
• Minimum of 5 years post-doctoral or industry experience in materials R&D.
• Proven ability to lead independent research and scientific projects.
• Strong technical communication and publication record.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, synthesis, and characterization of new materials.
• Use advanced techniques to study structure, properties and performance.
• Develop optimized experimental protocols for fabrication and testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate findings to applications.
• Document results and contribute to reports, publications and patents.

Skills

Materials synthesis

Material processing

Independent research

Project leadership

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

Spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Senior Research Scientist to join their advanced Materials Science division in Mahikeng. This role is central to driving the development of novel materials with enhanced properties for various industrial applications. You will lead research projects, conduct complex experiments, analyze material behavior, and contribute to the intellectual property portfolio through publications and patents. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of material characterization techniques and a passion for scientific discovery and innovation. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge materials research.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, synthesis, and characterization of new materials with specific performance characteristics.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD, spectroscopy) to study material structure, properties, and performance.
• Develop and optimize experimental protocols for material fabrication and testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate laboratory findings into potential commercial applications.
• Document research findings thoroughly and contribute to the preparation of technical reports, publications, and patent applications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in materials research and development.
• Demonstrated expertise in material synthesis, processing, and characterization techniques.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research and lead scientific projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting research findings.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for research-related bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Support for professional development, including conferences and training.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Access to state-of-the-art research equipment and facilities in Mahikeng.