Senior Plant Chemist

Linca Limited; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Linca Limited in New Zealand is seeking a Senior Plant Chemist to lead an analytical team at a hydrometallurgical black mass refining plant. You will manage daily operations, ensure accurate results, and coordinate sampling and analysis using MP-AES, ICP-OES/MS, UV/Vis, and XRD.

The role is based in Auckland initially with a 12–24 month relocation to the UK West Midlands. Eligibility to work in NZ and the UK, or ability to secure visas, is required as the project scales and the technology is

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in chemistry, metallurgy or equivalent.
• 5+ years in a commercial analytical lab or related field.
• Experience with battery recycling or hydrometallurgy is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead an analytical team at a hydrometallurgical plant.
• Manage daily plant operations, ensure timely, accurate results.
• Develop sampling and analytical protocols in line with GLP principles.
• Coordinate sample collection and analysis using specified instruments.
• Optimise process stages to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Support ESG initiatives and data collection.

Skills

MSc/PhD in chemistry

Analytical chemistry

Method validation

Instrumentation operation

Project supervision

Education

MSc or PhD in chemistry/metallurgy

Tools

MP-AES

ICP-OES/MS

UV/Vis

XRD

TGA

Job description

Linca's vision is to be a world-leading force in critical minerals recovery, building domestic supply chains for the metals that power the energy transition. Spun out of Mint Innovation, our proprietary, hydrometallurgical process refines end-of-life lithium-ion batteries into valuable lithium, cobalt and nickel salts. We aim to provide a circular solution to critical battery metals where ever it is needed.

Linca's technology is designed to be deployed close to source, strengthening local supply chains, and reduce the transport intensity of the battery recycling loop. We're currently building our first demonstration facility to prove out this technology at scale, backed by a NZ based seed funding round led by Motion Capital and alongside a UK consortium including Jaguar Land Rover, LiBatt Recycling, and WMG at the University of Warwick.

About the Role

As a key full time (40 hrs per week) member of our team, the Senior Plant Chemist will play a key role in managing and optimising the performance of Linca’s hydrometallurgical black mass refining demonstration facility. This includes overseeing an analytical chemistry team, managing an onsite laboratory for the analysis of plant inputs and outputs, and evaluating and improving plant performance efficiency.

The demonstration plant design will be based on a currently operating pilot plant in Mt Wellington, Auckland, NZ. Once operational in Auckland (NZ), the Senior Plant Chemist will play a key role to support the relocation of the technology, and commissioning of the demonstration facility in the West Midlands (UK).

Your main responsibilities will include to:

• Lead an analytical team at a hydrometallurgical black mass refining plant.
• Manage daily plant operations to ensure timely, accurate results, collaborating with plant operators and engineers to address capacity, bottlenecks, and issues.
• Optimise plant performance with a team of chemists, operators and engineers.
• Supervise the setup of an analytical laboratory to support plant operations.
• Develop and implement sampling and analytical protocols in compliance with the OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice.
• Coordinate sample collection, preparation, and analysis (MP-AES, ICP-OES/MS, UV/vis, XRD)
• Optimise process performance of extraction, precipitation, concentration, and crystallization stages to improve efficiency, reliability and scalability.
• Participate in design reviews, HAZOPs, and risk assessments with a focus on safety, operability, and maintainability.
• Contribute to the development of a process that recovers critical minerals from waste.
• Once operational in Auckland (NZ), the Senior Plant Chemist will play a key role to support the relocation of the technology, and commissioning of the demonstration facility in the West Midlands (UK).
• Assist wider business teams in environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives/policy and data collection as required.

Our ideal candidate will have as many of the following qualities as possible:

• MSc or PhD qualification in chemistry, metallurgy or equivalent
• Experience in battery recycling, black mass refining, or broader lithium-ion battery processing
• Experience in hydrometallurgical processes
• 5+ years working in a commercial analytical or relevant chemical laboratory
• Strong inorganic analytical chemistry knowledge including understanding and profiling impurities and analytical method optimization
• Proven record in method validation, quality compliance and instrumentation operation and innovation.
• Experience in scientific project work, including but not limited to method development, trouble shooting and sample preparation for MP-AES, ICP-OES, UV/vis, TGA and XRD.
• Project management or project supervision experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability and a practical "hands-on" attitude.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment

This role will be based in New Zealand initially, with relocation to the UK in 12-24 months. Candidates must be eligible to work in both New Zealand and the UK, or would be able to secure the necessary visas for this role.

For more information on Linca see our website - https://www.linca.co/