7.1. R&D Analytical Chemist

About Phoenix Tailings

Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world’s first fully clean mining and metals production company—unlocking the materials required for aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing while eliminating waste and emissions from mining.

Who We Are Looking For

Pheonix Tailings is looking for an R&D Analytical Chemist to help drive the analytical backbone of our clean metals production technology. This role is for someone who can operate with autonomy, think critically through complex sample questions, and bring creativity to the analysis of materials that are not always well defined.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate analytical instrumentation with a high level of autonomy to support investigative analysis, quality control testing, and R&D process development.
• Perform ICP-OES analysis to characterize process samples, raw materials, intermediates, and final products critical to Phoenix Tailings’ metals production work.
• Analyze a variety of unknown or partially characterized samples, using sound scientific judgment to help identify composition, hazards, and appropriate next analytical steps.
• Work closely with the Principal Analytical Scientist on complex analyses of high-priority samples that require critical thinking, method adaptation, and creative problem solving.
• Support the development and refinement of analytical methods for safely identifying and characterizing potentially hazardous materials.
• Carry out additional analytical work as needed, including gas analysis via FTIR and other techniques relevant to evolving R&D and production needs.
• Generate clear, technically sound reports that communicate analytical findings, limitations, and recommendations to support rapid decision making.
• Maintain safe laboratory practices when handling unknown, reactive, or potentially hazardous materials in a fast-moving R&D environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master's in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related fields
• 1- 5 years of Experience working in a laboratory environment with hands-on analytical chemistry, R&D, quality control, or process support experience.
• Experience with at least some of: ICP-OES / ICP-MS, XRF, PXRD, SEM-EDS, Wet chemistry and sample digestion, Analytical balances and laboratory QA/QC
• Ability to work independently with a variety of unknown or complex samples and apply scientific reasoning to determine appropriate analytical approaches.
• Familiarity with analytical method development, validation, or adaptation for non-routine samples.
• Experience handling chemical samples safely, including materials that may be hazardous, reactive, or not fully characterized.
• Ability to write clear technical reports that translate analytical data into useful conclusions for scientists, engineers, and technical leaders.
• Ability to take on evolving analytical responsibilities as the lab and company scale, including FTIR gas analysis and other instrumentation as needed.
• Must be able to wear a respirator for extended periods of time and lift up to 30 lbs.