Specialty Chemicals Development Chemist

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonuses

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Paid vacation and sick leave

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, seeks a Specialty Chemicals Development Chemist to join a forward-looking R&D team. The role centers on synthesis, formulation, and application testing of novel products for diverse industrial markets.

The ideal candidate has a strong organic chemistry background, hands-on synthesis and formulation experience, and a creative approach to solving problems. Opportunity to contribute to product innovation and potential commercialization is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Chemistry or related field.
• 3+ years hands-on synthesis and formulation development.
• Strong knowledge of organic mechanisms and techniques.
• Experience with GC, HPLC, NMR, FTIR and titrations.
• Good communication and ability to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize and characterize new organic compounds and formulations.
• Develop analytical methods for quality control and performance evaluation.
• Conduct formulation studies to optimize stability and performance.
• Perform application testing to show product value to customers.
• Troubleshoot synthesis and formulation issues with technical solutions.
• Collaborate with R&D, process engineers, and marketing to align with market needs.
• Maintain notebooks and prepare technical reports and presentations.
• Stay abreast of literature, patents, and trends in specialty chemicals.
• Ensure lab operations comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Assist scale-up and tech transfer to manufacturing.

Skills

Organic Chemistry

Synthesis

Formulation development

Analytical testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Master's degree in Chemistry

Tools

GC

HPLC

NMR

FTIR

Titrations

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking specialty chemicals manufacturer, is seeking an innovative Specialty Chemicals Development Chemist to join their Research and Development team in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga . This role focuses on the synthesis, formulation, and application testing of novel chemical products for diverse industrial markets. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in organic chemistry, a creative approach to problem-solving, and experience in bringing new chemical concepts from the laboratory to potential commercialization. This is a prime opportunity to contribute to product innovation and technological advancement in a growing company.

Key Responsibilities

• Synthesize and characterize new organic compounds and formulations for specialty chemical applications.
• Develop robust analytical methods for product quality control and performance evaluation.
• Conduct formulation studies to optimize product performance and stability.
• Perform application testing to demonstrate product efficacy and value proposition to customers.
• Troubleshoot formulation and synthesis issues, providing technical solutions.
• Collaborate with R&D scientists, process engineers, and marketing teams to align projects with market needs.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare technical reports and presentations.
• Stay abreast of scientific literature, patent landscapes, and emerging trends in specialty chemicals.
• Ensure laboratory operations comply with safety and environmental regulations.
• Assist in the scale-up and technology transfer of developed products to manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in chemical synthesis and formulation development.
• Strong knowledge of organic reaction mechanisms and synthetic techniques.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques such as GC, HPLC, NMR, FTIR, and titrations.
• Experience with formulation science and understanding of surfactants, polymers, or other relevant chemical classes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a meticulous approach to experimental work.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Familiarity with intellectual property and patent processes is an advantage.
• Knowledge of specific application areas (e.g., coatings, adhesives, personal care) is a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid and a retirement fund.
• This role in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga , offers the chance to work on cutting-edge projects in a supportive and stimulating R&D environment.
• Opportunities for professional development and continued learning are encouraged.
• Paid vacation and sick leave are provided.
• The company fosters a culture of innovation and teamwork.