Process Development Scientist

TN United Kingdom; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a process engineer to develop cutting-edge technologies for lithium extraction and refining. In this role, you will conduct bench-scale trials and collaborate with design engineers to ensure the successful delivery of lithium carbonate to market. You will work in a dynamic environment, conducting metallurgical tests, ensuring safety standards, and contributing to project documentation. This position offers a chance to be part of a pioneering project in sustainable lithium production, with opportunities for professional growth and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Sick pay entitlement after 6 months

Life assurance

Defined contribution pension plan

Income protection

Long service awards

Reward hub & discounts

Car salary sacrifice scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Endeavour club (off-site gym)

Qualifications

• Experience in mineral and chemical process technologies within a mining environment.
• Knowledge of inorganic chemical processes and lithium chemistries.

Responsibilities

• Conduct bench-scale trials and experiments in the Metallurgical Laboratory.
• Ensure safe operation of laboratory equipment and prepare technical reports.

Skills

Mineral processing

Chemical process technologies

Laboratory analysis

Data recording

Health & safety standards

Education

Degree in Chemistry

Degree in Earth Sciences

Tools

Laboratory equipment

pXRF testing

Job description

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Would you like to be involved in Europe's first integrated Lithium production facility?

The joint venture between Imerys and British Lithium:

Imerys British Lithium (IBL) is a joint venture between Imerys S.A. and Lithium Assets Ltd., formerly British Lithium, developing a world-class micaceous lithium resource in Cornwall. IBL has developed unique, patented technology for the sustainable recovery of battery-grade lithium carbonate from micaceous granite, aiming to build the world’s first integrated lithium mine, beneficiation plant, and refinery producing 20,000tpa of lithium carbonate—enough to support the production of 350,000 electric vehicles in the UK annually.

The role:

You will develop and improve novel process technologies for extracting, refining, and purifying lithium from micaceous granites. The role involves executing bench-scale trials and providing scientific design data for the British Lithium Project.

This includes collaborating with design engineers and project stakeholders to define, specify, and de-risk the process technology that will deliver lithium carbonate to the market.

Your main responsibilities:

You will conduct bench-scale trials and experiments in the Metallurgical Laboratory and Pilot Plant, including sample collection, analysis, data recording, and data collection, while:

• Being a member of the Process Development team, conducting laboratory metallurgical and process chemistry tests at British Lithium facilities or external labs.
• Ensuring safe operation of laboratory equipment, contributing to capital requests, logging, recording trial and analytical data, and preparing technical reports.
• Potentially deputising for the Person in Charge (PIC) of the Metallurgical Laboratory.
• Performing basic maintenance and calibrations of laboratory equipment.
• Coordinating sample analysis, including collection, labelling, and shipping.
• Ensuring safe storage, use, and disposal of chemicals, updating COSHH records, and contributing to risk assessments.
• Developing and maintaining QA/QC policies for sample testing and analysis.
• Designing experimental programs to support process engineering.
• Producing technical memoranda, progress reports, and project documentation.
• Undertaking sample preparation and testing procedures such as drying, filtration, crushing, and pXRF testing.

What we ask you in return:

Ideally, you have experience in mineral and chemical process technologies within a mining environment, a degree in Chemistry or Earth Sciences, and experience working in a process lab with knowledge of inorganic chemical processes and lithium chemistries. Knowledge of health & safety standards, COSHH regulations, and a vocational health and safety qualification are preferred. You should have a working knowledge of process design for mineral and chemical processes.

All roles at Imerys British Lithium require flexibility and adaptability. During extended campaigns or periods of intense activity, you may be asked to undertake various activities to support the project, provided you have the necessary competency for specific tasks.

What’s in it for you?

You will work for Imerys, a global leader in mineral-based solutions, with over 16,000 employees and 200+ sites worldwide. We support your professional development through training, cover costs, and offer a competitive salary and benefits such as:

• Sick pay entitlement after 6 months,
• Life assurance,
• Defined contribution pension plan,
• Income protection,
• Long service awards,
• Reward hub & discounts,
• Car salary sacrifice scheme,
• Cycle to work scheme,
• Endeavour club (off-site gym).

We value diversity and inclusivity, maintain high health, safety, and environmental standards, and offer numerous career development opportunities to help you reach your full potential.