Principal Specialist, International Research & Development Scientist

Ma'aden Gold and Base Metals (MGBM); As Sudiyah; On-site; OMR 46,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Ma’aden is seeking a Principal Specialist, International R&D Scientist to expand access to breakthrough technologies by building global university partnerships, research collaborations, and industry alliances. You will identify, evaluate, and advance innovative solutions to improve resource recovery, productivity, environmental performance, and processing efficiency, guiding pilots to scalable deployments.

This role requires strategic thinking, portfolio management, and the ability to translate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Geoscience, or a related discipline.
• PhD is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain international networks with universities, research institutes, mining labs, technology providers, startups, and venture ecosystems.
• Create and manage a robust pipeline of emerging technologies aligned with Ma’aden’s growth and sustainability goals.
• Lead experiments, pilots, and validation activities to confirm business value and enable scalable deployment.
• Coordinate technical assessments across business units to accelerate transition from concept to deployment.
• Protect Ma’aden’s interests in partnerships and technology collaboration activities.
• Maintain a prioritized innovation portfolio with visibility through portfolio insights and executive reporting.

Skills

Global partnerships

Tech scouting

Mining innovation

R&D program design

Portfolio management

Tech deployment

Business case

Strategic thinking

Open innovation

Tech commercialization

Education

Bachelor/Master in relevant field

PhD desirable

Job description

Why This Role Matters

The Principal Specialist, International R&D Scientist expands Ma’aden’s access to breakthrough technologies, global research networks, and innovation ecosystems that accelerate business growth, sustainability, and operational competitiveness. The role connects Ma’aden with leading universities, research institutes, startups, technology providers, and mining organizations to ensure continuous exposure to emerging opportunities that create long‑term value.

The role strengthens Ma’aden’s innovation pipeline by identifying, evaluating, and advancing technologies that improve resource recovery, productivity, exploration effectiveness, environmental performance, and processing efficiency. It enables faster conversion of external innovation into practical solutions that support enterprise priorities and future growth.

By building strategic international partnerships and guiding technology deployment, the role helps position Ma’aden as a globally connected innovation leader with access to high‑impact technologies, research capabilities, and collaborative development opportunities.

What You Will Deliver

Global Innovation Partnerships

• Build and sustain strategic relationships with leading international universities, research institutes, mining laboratories, technology providers, startups, and venture ecosystems.
• Establish collaboration frameworks that accelerate technology development, testing, commercialization, and deployment.
• Strengthen Maaden’s presence within global innovation networks and strategic technology forums.

Technology Scouting & Opportunity Identification

• Create a robust pipeline of emerging technologies aligned with Ma’aden’s growth, sustainability, and operational priorities.
• Assess technology maturity, scalability, commercial potential, strategic alignment, and intellectual property considerations.
• Provide forward‑looking intelligence on innovation trends, competitive developments, and technology disruptions.

Research & Innovation Delivery

• Advance development of technologies and solutions that address critical business and operational challenges.
• Guide experimental programs, pilot studies, demonstrations, and validation activities to confirm business value and operational applicability.
• Ensure research outputs can be scaled and integrated into operational environments.

Technology Evaluation & Deployment

• Enable effective technical assessments across business units and operational stakeholders.
• Accelerate progression from concept evaluation to industrial deployment through structured testing and business case development.
• Improve adoption success by aligning innovation initiatives with operational requirements and implementation readiness.

Strategic Collaboration & Ecosystem Management

• Develop high‑value international networks that support co‑development, licensing, strategic alliances, and joint ventures.
• Build productive relationships with government innovation agencies, research programs, industry leaders, and strategic partners.
• Protect Maaden’s strategic interests throughout partnership development and technology collaboration activities.

Portfolio & Value Management

• Maintain a prioritized innovation portfolio focused on business value, strategic importance, and implementation readiness.
• Improve visibility of emerging opportunities through technology intelligence, portfolio insights, and executive reporting.
• Drive measurable outcomes from innovation investments and external technology partnerships.

What Success Looks Like

• Strong international network of strategic innovation partners supporting Ma’aden’s long‑term growth agenda.
• Expanded pipeline of high‑value technologies aligned with resource growth, sustainability, and operational excellence objectives.
• Increased conversion of external innovation opportunities into successful pilots, demonstrations, and operational deployments.
• Improved visibility of emerging technology trends, competitive developments, and partnership opportunities.
• Strong technology adoption business cases that deliver measurable operational and commercial value.
• Enhanced global reputation and influence of Ma’aden within international innovation ecosystems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Geoscience, or a related discipline.
• PhD is desirable.

Experience

• 10–15 years of experience in mining, mineral processing, technology development, innovation, business development, or strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with international universities, technology companies, startups, or research organizations.
• Experience evaluating, developing, and advancing innovative technologies from concept through deployment.
• Strong global network within the mining innovation ecosystem is highly desirable.

Skills That Matter

• Global partnership development
• Technology scouting and due diligence
• Mining innovation and technology commercialization
• Research program design and validation
• Innovation portfolio management
• Strategic technology assessment and deployment
• Business case development
• Strategic thinking and opportunity prioritization
• Open innovation management
• Technology commercialization and value realization