SUMMARY:
Job Title: R&D Scientist
Location: KZN
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
Type: Permanent / Environment: R&D, Chemical Manufacturing, Laboratory
About the Role
A leading chemical manufacturing company based in KwaZulu-Natal, near Durban, is seeking an experienced R&D Scientist with a minimum of seven years' relevant industry experience.
This role is responsible for conducting both fundamental and applied research to develop innovative polymer technologies, resin chemistries and advanced formulations that support the company's long-term growth strategy.
The successful candidate will drive the development of sustainable, high-performance resin systems, strengthen the organisation's intellectual property portfolio, reduce reliance on licensed technologies, and translate scientific research into commercially viable products and scalable manufacturing processes.
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished Polymer Scientist with a strong research background and a proven track record of independently conceptualising, developing and commercialising new technologies. The incumbent must be capable of leading research projects from scientific concept and laboratory development through pilot-scale evaluation to full manufacturing implementation, while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and external research partners.
This position requires a combination of hands-on laboratory expertise, scientific leadership and strategic thinking, with a strong commitment to innovation, technical excellence, sustainability and the continuous advancement of polymer and resin technologies.
POSITION INFO:
What you'll be doing Conduct fundamental and applied research from first principles to develop innovative polymer chemistries, resin technologies and formulations. Design, synthesise and evaluate new polymer systems aligned with strategic business objectives. Develop sustainable polymer technologies incorporating renewable raw materials, recycled feedstocks and environmentally responsible chemistries. Develop alternative technologies that strengthen the company's intellectual property and reduce dependence on licensed technologies. Identify and develop breakthrough technologies supporting long-term business growth. Evaluate emerging technologies, scientific literature and market developments Contribute to patent generation, intellectual property development and proprietary technology Lead R&D projects from concept through laboratory development, pilot-scale trials, manufacturing implementation and commercialisation Manage multiple concurrent research projects while meeting agreed milestones and timelines. Translate laboratory developments into robust manufacturing processes. Support scale-up activities and manufacturing implementation Provide specialist technical support during customer qualification and product commercialisation. Prepare technical specifications, reports and supporting documentation Develop collaborative relationships with universities, research institutions, suppliers and technology partners Evaluate emerging raw materials, catalysts and processing technologies. Mentor chemists and technicians Promote a culture of innovation, scientific excellence and continuous improvement Support technical capability development and succession planning. What you'll need MSc (or internationally recognised equivalent postgraduate qualification) in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Chemistry or a closely related discipline Minimum 7-10 years' industrial R&D experience within polymer science, resin technology or related chemical industries Demonstrated experience developing new polymer chemistries and formulations from concept to commercialisation. Experience in polymer synthesis, formulation development, experimental design, statistical analysis of experimental data, scale-up and technology transfer, polymer characterisation. Proven track record of delivering innovative technologies with measurable commercial value Experience working with sustainability initiatives, circular economy technologies or renewable feedstocks would be advantageous. Experience working within an international technical environment or collaborating with external research institutions would be advantageous. Scientific innovation and creative problem solving Technology awareness and innovation mindset Customer and business focus What is in it for you? Market related remuneration, including benefits Opportunity to lead the development of next-generation polymer technologies Exposure to cutting-edge research focused on sustainability, circular economy and advanced materials A technically challenging role with significant influence on the company's future innovation strategy. Opportunities to collaborate with leading universities, research institutions and international technology partners Competitive remuneration package aligned with qualifications and experience. Professional development and career growth within a leading polymer manufacturing company. A Few Things to Know Commitment to Safety, Customer Service, Integrity, and Innovation is at the heart of our success. We are looking for a results-driven Manager who has the ability to work under pressure and has a mindset of continuous improvement Ready to Apply? Click Apply and please complete your application in full. If you don't hear from us within 3 months, your application was not successful. However, we may contact you for other roles in the future (with your permission). Data Privacy Notice By applying, you consent to Elchemie processing your personal data for the purpose of job matching. Your data will be securely stored and shared only with trusted service providers and clients.
