Senior Scientist - Materials Science

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive annual salary

Healthcare and retirement plan

Opportunities for professional growth

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Collaborative research environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Scientist in Bloemfontein to lead R&D efforts in materials science, focusing on innovation and characterization of new materials for diverse applications. The role involves designing experiments, applying SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR and thermal analysis, and mentoring junior researchers while collaborating with engineering to translate insights into practical products.

Contribute to publications and presentations to disseminate findings and help shape the future

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant research experience with a focus on materials characterization.
• Expertise in SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and thermal analysis.
• Experience in synthesis and processing of polymers, ceramics, or composites.
• Strong understanding of structure-property relationships and failure analysis.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills for collaboration in Bloemfontein.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects focused on design, synthesis, and characterization of new materials.
• Utilize advanced techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and thermal analysis to analyze material structures.
• Investigate structure-property relationships and optimize material performance for specific applications.
• Develop and implement experimental protocols for material testing and evaluation.
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to integrate new materials into existing or new product lines.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Skills

Materials characterization

SEM

TEM

XRD

FTIR

Thermal analysis

Polymer processing

Ceramic processing

Composite materials

Structure-property relationships

Education

PhD in Materials Science

Related field (Chemistry/ Physics)

Tools

SEM

TEM

XRD

FTIR

Thermal analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Scientist with expertise in materials science to join their advanced research and development team in Bloemfontein. This role is focused on the innovation and characterization of novel materials for a variety of applications. You will lead research projects, design experiments, and utilize advanced analytical techniques to understand material properties and performance. The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver with a deep understanding of material structure-property relationships and a proven ability to translate scientific insights into practical applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead research projects focused on the design, synthesis, and characterization of new materials.
• Utilize advanced techniques such as electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and spectroscopy to analyze material structures.
• Investigate structure-property relationships and optimize material performance for specific applications.
• Develop and implement experimental protocols for material testing and evaluation.
• Collaborate with engineering and product development teams to integrate new materials into existing or new product lines.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Requirements

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant research experience, with a strong focus on materials characterization.
• Proven expertise in techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and thermal analysis.
• Experience in the synthesis and processing of polymers, ceramics, or composites.
• Strong understanding of material structure-property relationships and failure analysis.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills for effective collaboration in Bloemfontein .

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance-based bonus.
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage and retirement plan.
• Opportunities for professional growth, including attending scientific conferences.
• Access to state-of-the-art materials characterization facilities.
• A collaborative and innovative research environment.