Principal Scientist- Mining

About the role

Locus Fermentation Solutions is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead R&D efforts in developing specialty chemical reagents for enhancing mining operations. The role involves leading complex research programs, translating scientific insights into product specifications, and mentoring scientific staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the development, formulation, and testing of new chemical products tailored for specific mineral extraction challenges.
• Conduct laboratory-scale experiments, including flotation tests, leaching studies, and reagent performance evaluations on various ore types.
• Perform on-site trials and plant support activities to validate laboratory results and optimize reagent application in real-world mining environments.
• Analyze metallurgical data using statistical tools and prepare technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Stay current with advancements in mineral processing chemistry, sustainable extraction technologies, and environmental regulations affecting reagent use.
• Work cross-functionally with sales, production, and quality teams to support product commercialization and customer technical service.

Requirements

• MS Engineering, Chemistry, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing or related field required with 10+ years lab experience; or PhD with 5+ years lab experience.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership and subject-matter expertise.
• Strong record of innovation and scientific contributions.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to guide cross-functional teams.
• Strong commitment to safety, documentation rigor, and data integrity.