Materials Scientist

About the role

KelTex is seeking a Materials Scientist to join its on‑site laboratory in Dar es‑Salaam. You will develop, test, and optimise seaweed‑based bioleather formulations, turning experimental results into scalable, sustainable manufacturing processes.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to create new bioleather materials.
• Characterise material properties using mechanical, thermal and rheological methods.
• Analyse performance data and document findings for cross‑functional teams.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering and product design to translate lab results into production‑ready solutions.
• Monitor industry trends, scientific literature and sustainability standards to drive innovation.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science or a related discipline.
• Hands‑on laboratory experience in experimental design, sample preparation and use of analytical instrumentation.
• Background in R&D focused on new material systems, especially bio‑based or biodegradable materials.
• Strong understanding of structure‑property relationships and sustainable material design.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in an on‑site laboratory and pilot‑production environment.

Required skills

• Experimental design
• Sample preparation
• Analytical instrumentation
• Polymer processing
• Mechanical and thermal characterization
• Rheology and material mechanics testing
• Data analysis and relevant software tools