9.2. Senior R&D Chemist

Phoenix Tailings Inc.; Woburn (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Stock options

Unlimited PTO

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Phoenix Tailings Inc. in Woburn, Massachusetts seeks a Senior R&D Chemist to develop hydrometallurgical processes for critical metals extraction and purification. The role requires a PhD in Chemistry or a related field, along with hands-on experience in leaching and extraction. A competitive compensation package of $130,000-$170,000 plus stock options is offered, along with comprehensive healthcare and unlimited PTO. Join us to help advance sustainable mining technology.

Qualifications

• 2–3+ years of experience in hydrometallurgy and critical metals recovery.
• Hands-on experience in leaching, extraction, and purification processes.
• Strong understanding of aqueous chemistry and separation selectivity.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments for critical metals extraction and purification.
• Develop and optimize separation processes for complex feedstocks.
• Analyze process samples and improve recovery efficiency.

Skills

Hydrometallurgy

Solvent extraction

Separations chemistry

Analysis of process samples

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

ICP-OES/MS

XRF

HPLC

Job description

About Phoenix Tailings

Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world’s first fully clean mining and metals production company—unlocking the materials required for aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing while eliminating waste and emissions from mining.

Why Phoenix Tailings

At Phoenix, we believe nothing great is ever accomplished alone—or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. You’ll be joining a team building the foundational infrastructure for the modern world, developing entirely new ways to produce rare earth and critical metals domestically, cleanly, and at scale.

Our Values

• You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong
• Lead with Compassion
• Be Resourceful
• Listen
• Hustle

Who We Are Looking For

Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Senior R&D Chemist to develop and optimize hydrometallurgical and extraction processes that improve the recovery, separation, and purification of critical metals. This role is for a hands‑on chemist who can design experiments, interpret complex chemical systems, and turn lab‑scale results into process improvements that strengthen Phoenix Tailings’ clean metals production platform. You will help build the chemistry that makes critical metals more accessible, sustainable, and ready to power the technologies of today and tomorrow.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute hydrometallurgical experiments focused on leaching, extraction, separation, purification, and recovery of critical metals and rare earth elements.
• Develop and optimize solvent extraction, precipitation, crystallization, ion exchange, and related separation processes for complex feedstocks and process streams.
• Evaluate the effects of pH, temperature, reagent concentration, residence time, redox conditions, phase ratios, and impurity profiles on metals recovery and selectivity.
• Analyze aqueous, organic, solid, and intermediate process samples to understand extraction efficiency, metal loading, impurity behavior, and product quality.
• Build process‑performance relationships that connect chemistry, operating conditions, recovery, purity, reagent use, and scalability.
• Identify chemical failure modes, side reactions, losses, and impurity pathways, then develop practical solutions to improve process reliability and efficiency.
• Support the translation of bench‑scale chemistry into larger experimental systems that advance Phoenix Tailings’ clean metals production technology.
• Prepare clear experimental plans, technical reports, data summaries, and recommendations that guide R&D priorities and process development decisions.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Hydrometallurgy, or a related field.
• 2–3+ years of experience in hydrometallurgy, solvent extraction, separations chemistry, critical metals recovery, rare earth processing, extractive metallurgy, or related applied chemical R&D.
• Hands‑on experience designing and running leaching, extraction, precipitation, crystallization, ion exchange, or purification experiments.
• Strong understanding of aqueous chemistry, metal speciation, pH control, redox chemistry, complexation, phase behavior, and separation selectivity.
• Experience analyzing process samples and interpreting chemical data to improve recovery, purity, reagent efficiency, and process stability.
• Familiarity with analytical techniques such as ICP‑OES/MS, XRF, XRD, IC, HPLC, UV‑Vis, titration, or related characterization tools.

We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:

This pay range reflects best estimate for the total cash compensation which includes salary + discretionary bonus for this role. Total package may vary based on experience and qualifications.

Pay Range: $130,000- $170,000 total cash compensation plus equity

• Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee.
• Stock Options: Ownership in a fast‑growing venture‑backed company.
• Time Off: Unlimited PTO.
• Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career.

At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.

Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work‑related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline).