Senior Geochemist

Gather Recruitment; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parking on site

Flexible working with WFH options

Job summary

Gather Recruitment is seeking a Senior Geochemist for a well‑established mine closure consultancy with offices in Perth and Brisbane. You will work hands‑on in data analysis, modelling and reporting on AMD, mine waste and groundwater issues.

With 10–15 years in mining, you’ll lead technical work, mentor a junior geochemist, and collaborate on lab schedules and field programs, with some travel/yearly site work. A Masters is a plus; flexible work options are available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or higher in Chemistry, Environmental Science or related field.
• Around 10–15 years of mining-related experience.
• Strong environmental chemistry and/or hydrogeochemistry expertise.
• Hands‑on geochemistry with lab data interpretation.
• Experience with AMD, mine waste characterisation, leach testing or tailings.
• Able to interpret water quality guidelines and compile reports.
• Good project and time management; able to mentor juniors.

Responsibilities

• Conduct AMD and leach assessments and mine waste characterisation.
• Develop and review data, reports and proposals.
• Mentor junior geochemist and coordinate lab work.
• Design sampling and test programs; manage budgets and projects.
• Present findings to clients and contribute to publications.

Skills

Environmental chemistry

Hydrogeochemistry

Geochemical modelling

Lab data interpretation

Isotope work

Python

Power BI

Report writing

Project budgeting

Education

Degree in Chemistry or Environmental Science

Masters (nice to have)

Tools

PHREEQC

Geochemist's Workbench

Power BI

Python

Job description

My client is a well-established, independent mine closure consultancy with offices in Perth and Brisbane. They work across closure planning, rehabilitation, landform design, soils and mine waste for a wide range of clients, from juniors through to the majors, and have grown steadily over the years by keeping the quality of their work high.

They are now looking for a Senior Geochemist to join their geochemistry team. They need someone who can take on the more complex projects, review reports with confidence and help the team keep up with a strong forward workload.

This is a hands‑on technical role rather than a people management one - you'll be in the data, not just writing reports.

The work will include

• Acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) and leach assessments
• Mine waste characterisation, including kinetic testwork
• Mine waste management plans and tailings assessments
• Source - pathway - receptor models
• Geochemical modelling in PHREEQC and Geochemist's Workbench, with scope to get into pit lake and reinjection water quality modelling and isotope work
• Designing sampling and testwork programs, interpreting results, and writing and reviewing reports
• Managing your own projects and budgets, helping with proposals and presenting findings to clients
• Mentoring a junior geochemist and coordinating lab schedules
• Some lab work and sample handling, and field work maybe once or twice a year

The role would suit someone with

• A degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science or a related field - a Masters is nice to have but not essential
• Around 10 - 15 years' relevant experience, ideally in mining
• Strong environmental chemistry and/or hydrogeochemistry experience - this is the key requirement. If your background is in geology, you'll need this experience too
• Practical, hands‑on geochemistry - time in the lab and interpreting data yourself
• Experience in AMD, mine waste characterisation, leach testing or tailings assessments
• Experience working with and interpreting water quality and environmental guidelines
• Strong technical report writing and the confidence to present to clients
• Good project and time management - able to juggle several projects at once
• PHREEQC and Geochemist's Workbench experience would be an advantage, along with Power BI and Python
• Hydrogeology experience and some knowledge of ecotoxicology would be a bonus

They're after someone practical and self‑driven who can take a project and run with it, but who is still keen to learn from an experienced Technical Lead and share their knowledge with junior staff. Being a good team player who treats everyone with respect matters a lot here.

What's on offer

• Salary around $150,000 - $180,000 + super depending on experience
• Full time preferred, but 4 days a week will be considered for the right person
• Flexible working with some work from home, and a genuine work‑life balance
• Learning from a very experienced Technical Lead, with a real focus on career development
• Room to develop into new areas such as pit lake modelling, isotopes, groundwater and geotechnical work
• The chance to contribute to peer reviewed publications
• A wide variety of sites, commodities and clients
• A friendly, down to earth team with very low turnover
• Parking on site

This is a good opportunity for an experienced geochemist who wants to stay technical and work on interesting mine waste and water chemistry problems in a supportive, stable business.

We value every application and handle your information with the utmost respect. Your details will never be shared without your prior consent, ensuring complete confidentiality throughout the application process.