Senior Research Scientist - Polymer Chemistry

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and annual bonus

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Welkom seeks a Senior Research Scientist in polymer chemistry to drive pioneering synthesis, characterization, and formulation of advanced polymers for industrial applications.

The role involves translating research into commercial products, leading catalyst development and collaborating with product teams to scale up innovations. Strong communication and leadership are essential to guide junior scientists and contribute to a cutting-edge materials program.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in a polymer-related field and 7+ years post-doctoral polymer R&D experience.
• Expertise in polymerization methods (free radical, anionic, cationic, condensation).
• Strong proficiency in polymer characterization techniques and data interpretation.
• Experience in formulation development and application testing of polymer-based products.

Responsibilities

• Lead research efforts in synthesis of advanced polymers, including polymerization techniques and catalyst development.
• Characterize polymers using GPC, DSC, TGA, NMR, and FTIR.
• Develop and optimize polymer formulations for coatings, adhesives, or composites.
• Conduct performance testing of new materials to evaluate mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.
• Collaborate with engineers and product designers to translate research into commercial products.
• Mentor junior scientists and technicians in Welkom.

Skills

Polymerization techniques

Polymer characterization

Formulation development

Communication & teamwork

Education

Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field

Tools

GPC

DSC

TGA

NMR

FTIR

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a talented Senior Research Scientist with expertise in polymer chemistry to join their innovative research and development team in Welkom . This role involves pioneering the synthesis, characterization, and application of novel polymeric materials for a variety of industrial applications. You will play a key role in driving research projects from conception through to scale-up, collaborating closely with product development teams to bring new technologies to market. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge material science within a well-equipped research facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research efforts in the synthesis of advanced polymers, including polymerization techniques and catalyst development.
• Characterize synthesized polymers using techniques such as GPC, DSC, TGA, NMR, and FTIR.
• Develop and optimize polymer formulations for specific end-use applications, such as coatings, adhesives, or composites.
• Conduct performance testing of new polymeric materials to evaluate their mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties.
• Collaborate with engineers and product designers to ensure successful translation of research findings into commercial products.
• Mentor junior scientists and technicians, providing guidance on experimental design and analysis in Welkom .

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral research experience in polymer science and engineering.
• Strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience in various polymerization methods (e.g., free radical, anionic, cationic, condensation).
• Proficiency in polymer characterization techniques and interpretation of analytical data.
• Experience in formulation development and application testing of polymer-based products.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with a passion for innovation in polymer science.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and training.
• Access to advanced laboratory facilities and equipment for polymer research in Welkom .