Senior Research Scientist - Materials Science

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Research funding

Professional development

State-of-the-art facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Kimberley, South Africa, is seeking a Senior Research Scientist in Materials Science to lead innovative projects and develop novel materials with advanced properties for industrial applications.

You will design experiments, apply SEM, TEM, XRD and spectroscopy, study structure–property relationships, and collaborate with engineers to translate research into products, with opportunities for publications and patents.

Qualifications

• PhD required in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in materials research.
• Proven expertise in material synthesis, characterization and performance testing.
• Familiarity with computational materials science tools is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments for synthesis and characterization of new materials.
• Utilize SEM, TEM, XRD, and spectroscopy for material analysis.
• Investigate structure-property relationships in novel material systems.
• Develop and optimize material processing techniques to achieve target performance.
• Collaborate with engineers and product teams to translate findings into applications.
• Prepare detailed research reports, publications and patent applications.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Research leadership

Education

PhD in Materials Science or related field

Tools

Computational materials tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking research institution in Kimberley , is seeking an innovative Senior Research Scientist specializing in Materials Science . This role is at the heart of developing novel materials with advanced properties for various industrial applications. You will lead research projects, explore new material synthesis techniques, and characterize material performance. The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver with a passion for pushing the boundaries of material innovation and contributing to scientific advancements in the Northern Cape.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments for the synthesis and characterization of new materials.
• Utilize advanced characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, and spectroscopy.
• Investigate structure-property relationships in novel material systems.
• Develop and optimize material processing techniques to achieve desired performance characteristics.
• Collaborate with engineers and product development teams to translate research findings into practical applications.
• Write detailed research reports, publications, and patent applications.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry experience in materials research.
• Proven expertise in material synthesis, characterization, and performance testing.
• Familiarity with computational materials science tools is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities, with experience in presenting research findings.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Generous funding for research projects and professional development.
• Opportunity to work with state-of-the‑art equipment and facilities in Kimberley .
• A collaborative and intellectually stimulating research environment.
• Contribution to cutting‑edge scientific discovery and technological innovation.