Principal Geochemist

SLR Vision Interface System; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Private healthcare

Travel and life insurance

25 days annual leave

Hybrid and flexible working

International mining projects

Job summary

SLR is seeking an experienced Principal Geochemist to lead and shape geochemistry projects across the mining lifecycle. You will provide technical leadership on mine waste and tailings geochemistry, ARD/ML, water quality, and predictive modelling, mentoring junior staff, and collaborating with hydrogeology, hydrology, and engineering teams.

Based in the UK with hybrid working, the role includes international travel and building client relationships, contributing to technical standards, proposal

Qualifications

• Extensive geochemistry experience in mining projects.
• Strong leadership and mentorship capabilities.
• Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex geochemistry studies across the mining lifecycle.
• Direct mine waste and tailings geochemical programmes.
• Interpret geochemical datasets and assess ARD/ML risks.
• Develop geochemical management strategies for waste rock and tailings.
• Support mine water management and closure planning with predictions.

Skills

Geochemistry

Leadership

Project management

Tools

PHREEQC

Job description

SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, helping clients tackle some of the world's most complex environmental and sustainability challenges. With over 5,000 employees operating across more than 125 countries, we combine global reach with local expertise, delivering innovative and practical solutions through a collaborative, people-first culture.

As part of our continued growth, SLR's busy Mine Water team is seeking an experienced Principal Geochemist to join our expanding European Geochemistry team and support a growing portfolio of work, predominantly within the mining sector.

This role will provide technical leadership across a diverse range of mining projects, with a particular focus on mine waste and tailings geochemistry, acid rock drainage and metal leaching (ARD/ML), mine water quality, predictive geochemical modelling and mine closure. Acting as one of the team's senior technical practitioners, you will lead complex studies, provide technical oversight and mentor developing geochemists while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary specialists across hydrogeology, hydrology, water treatment, mining, tailings, waste management, environmental assessment and closure disciplines.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established geochemist to shape technical approaches, influence project outcomes, strengthen client relationships and contribute to the continued growth, technical development and reputation of SLR's geochemistry practice.

The role can be based from any of SLR's UK offices, with flexible, agile and hybrid working options available. Occasional international travel will form part of the role.

The Role

As a Principal Geochemist, you will provide technical leadership across a broad range of mining projects throughout the mine lifecycle while supporting the development of both clients and colleagues.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the technical delivery of complex geochemistry studies across the mining lifecycle, including Scoping Studies, Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS), Feasibility Studies (FS), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), operational support and mine closure planning.
• Providing senior technical direction for mine waste and tailings geochemical characterisation programmes, including sample selection and the design of static, kinetic, leach and mineralogical testing programmes.
• Leading the interpretation of complex geochemical datasets and undertaking robust assessments of ARD/ML, salinity, constituent mobilisation and long-term water quality risks.
• Developing practical geochemical management and mitigation strategies for waste rock, tailings, stockpiles, pit walls and other mine materials.
• Developing and reviewing geochemical source terms and water quality predictions to support mine water management, groundwater studies, water balances, closure planning and permitting requirements.
• Undertaking and overseeing advanced geochemical modelling using PHREEQC.
• Providing specialist technical input to mine closure studies, including pit lakes, flooded mine workings, seepage quality assessments, mine water treatment requirements and post-closure monitoring programmes.
• Integrating geochemistry with mine waste, tailings, hydrogeology, hydrology, mine water and closure engineering studies to deliver practical, risk-based recommendations.
• Acting as a technical reviewer and quality assurance lead for geochemistry deliverables.
• Leading technical investigations, field programmes, sampling campaigns and laboratory testing strategies where required.
• Managing project scopes, programmes, budgets, resources, laboratories and subcontractors.
• Supporting proposal development, project planning, client engagement and business development initiatives.
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships and identifying opportunities to expand geochemistry services across existing and new projects.
• Mentoring and developing Senior, Project and Graduate Geochemists.
• Contributing to technical standards, methodologies, data management approaches and modelling capabilities across the team.
• Supporting industry engagement activities, including technical papers, conference presentations and professional guidance documents.

Rewards & Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Company pension scheme.
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support.
• Travel and life insurance.
• Structured career development and progression opportunities.
• Regular performance and career development reviews.
• 25 days annual leave plus flexible bank holidays.
• Hybrid, agile and flexible working arrangements.
• Family-friendly policies that support work-life balance.
• Opportunities to work on internationally significant mining and mine closure projects.
• Access to industry-leading specialists across a range of environmental, engineering and sustain