Senior Research Scientist - Materials Science

Placements24; Upington; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

State-of-the-art facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Upington seeks a Senior Research Scientist in Materials Science to lead innovation in advanced materials. You will design experiments, assess properties with analytical techniques, and drive from concept to prototype while collaborating with engineers on product integration.

The role requires a PhD and 5+ years of research experience, with on-site work in Upington to access specialized lab equipment and foster close teamwork.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry research experience in materials science.
• Demonstrated expertise in material synthesis, characterization, and testing.
• Experience with relevant analytical instrumentation and techniques.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between material structure, processing, and properties.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong communication skills for team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to synthesize, characterize, and test new materials with specific performance criteria.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques (e.g., spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal analysis) to evaluate material properties.
• Develop and optimize material processing methods and formulations.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate material discoveries into viable product components.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and generate comprehensive research reports.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments and emerging trends in materials science and related fields.

Skills

Experiment design

Materials synthesis

Characterization techniques

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Materials Science or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly innovative Senior Research Scientist with expertise in Materials Science to join their advanced research and development department in Upington. This role is central to developing novel materials with enhanced properties for a variety of applications. You will lead research initiatives, conduct rigorous experimental work, and collaborate with a team of scientists and engineers to drive material innovation from concept to prototype. This position requires full-time on-site presence to access specialized laboratory equipment and foster close collaboration within the R&D team. If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of material science and possess a strong track record of research success, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to synthesize, characterize, and test new materials with specific performance criteria.
• Utilize advanced analytical techniques (e.g., spectroscopy, microscopy, thermal analysis) to evaluate material properties.
• Develop and optimize material processing methods and formulations.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate material discoveries into viable product components.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results, and generate comprehensive research reports.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments and emerging trends in materials science and related fields.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral or industry research experience in materials science.
• Demonstrated expertise in material synthesis, characterization, and testing.
• Experience with relevant analytical instrumentation and techniques.
• Strong understanding of the relationship between material structure, processing, and properties.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and strong communication skills for team collaboration.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and potential for annual performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Support for professional development, including conferences and workshops.
• Access to state-of-the‑art research facilities and equipment.