Senior Research/Industrial Chemist

Background

FluoroMet is a critical minerals process development company based on the NSW Central Coast. Our purpose is to deliver cost-effective, closed-loop, zero-waste processes to meet the ever-increasing needs of the global energy transition.

The FluoroMet technical team have recently demonstrated their processing technology’s ability to deliver ultra-high purity materials for the Li-ion battery, nuclear and critical minerals industries, and with secured funding for pilot plant development, there now exists an opportunity for the recruitment of a Senior Research / Industrial Chemist to join the team on this journey.

Purpose of this role

Our clients represent some of the largest global stakeholders in critical minerals resource holdings and our mission is to deliver cost-effective, closed loop processing technologies for the 21st century to meet the demands of the global energy transition.

This position is required to complement and enhance the capabilities of the technical team to both develop novel chemical pathways for critical minerals extraction and to address knowledge gaps in maturing processes to enable continued pilot plant design.

The role requires a broad range of tasks, including thermodynamic calculations, experimental regime development, wet lab experiments, flow and mass balancing, process modelling through to pilot plant design support.

This is a frontier R&D role with direct links to industry - requiring a dedicated professional to assist or lead as required. This role covers the full process development journey from theoretical concept through to experimental design, execution, optimisation and scale-up.

Description

The SRC position is both office and lab-based and therefore requires demonstrated technical capability and hands-on wet lab experience. The main tasks within and requirements of the role include:

Assist with the development of new ore/feedstock characterisation regimes

Take the lead in proposing and developing potential critical mineral extraction methods, pathways and associated experimental matrices

Execute wet lab experimental regimes, working within strict HSE and set condition protocols to evaluate new critical mineral extraction pathways

Well-developed technical writing skills enabling independent authorship of SOPs/SWIs where required with emphasis on both safety and practicality

Evaluate and troubleshoot proposed and existing pathways and apply your expertise to identify potential critical mineral recovery pathways

Source supporting technical data, references and draw on broadly adopted industry processing technologies where applicable

Develop specific recovery pathways via crystallisation, isolation, purification.

Apply innovation to break through boundaries

Provide technical expertise, guidance and support to the technical team to maintain program objectives and QA/QC in all tasks

Applying your experience in good lab practices and ability to manage specific wet lab programs to ensure timely delivery of required outcomes

Develop, record and enact robust control protocols in experimental execution to ensure outcome consistency and repeatability

Maintain open communication between superiors and subordinates and manage program resources to sustain progress

Analyse, refine and summarise experimental outcomes to enable clear reporting to stakeholders for key decisions to be made

Ensure a strict schedule of technical reporting of all experimental works and overall progress to the management team

Collaborate with the technical and design teams and provide direct assistance to both as required

Adhere to designated program schedules as far as practicable and manage emerging issues as required

Generate heat, mass and energy balances for proposed processes

Assist in the development of PFDs and liaise with the pilot plant design team as required

Develop process models and assist with control philosophies and equipment sizing

Contribute to process cost estimate generation

About you

We are looking for a candidate that possesses:

A Degree, Masters or PhD in Geochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with 3+ years of hands-on industrial experience.

Demonstrable experience in process/chemical pathway development including heat, flow, thermodynamics and mass balances.

Experience in applying a range of separation techniques / technologies.

Experience in applied R&D programs in an industrial setting including developing and modifying process flow diagrams, integrating flows and understanding P&IDs.

Experience with building process flow sheets from the ground up without the use of commercial modelling software packages.

Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data collection and analysis.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot and optimise complex chemical processes.

Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Proven ability to manage and mentor subordinates and technicians.

Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and prioritise tasks effectively.

A high regard for attention to detail with a methodical approach to task evaluation, execution and risk awareness

Has a demonstrable commitment to WHSE policies and procedures.

We are seeking a candidate that can exercise initiative, take the lead on new process development pathways and work independently to deliver required outcomes.

This is a full-time permanent position (36 hr/wk) that comes with an initial 3-month probationary period. We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible.

What’s on offer

Competitive remuneration package

An opportunity to be a part of a new global industrial sector based in Australia with novel technology working with a team of highly experienced R&D scientists

An excellent career development opportunity

A chance to work in one of Australia’s most beautiful towns between Gosford and Newcastle on the Central Coast