Analytical Chemist

Greentown; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Stock options

Unlimited PTO

Learning and development

Job summary

Phoenix Tailings is expanding its Rochester, New York facility to scale domestic rare earth processing. We seek analytical chemists to provide chemistry data for process control, product quality, and recovery efficiency.

Experience with ICP-OES or XRF and accurate data reporting is essential. You will support startup operations, maintain calibration and methods, and collaborate with engineering to optimize separation performance and oxide quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• Hands-on analytical laboratory experience with sample prep and ICP-OES, XRF, or related instrumental methods.
• Knowledge of calibration, reference standards, method consistency, and quality-control checks.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and analyze process and product samples to assess rare earth recovery, separation performance, and oxide quality.
• Operate or coordinate ICP-OES and XRF testing, selecting established methods for the sample and question.
• Maintain analytical methods, reference standards, calibration, and quality-control checks for consistent results.
• Review sample inconsistencies and unexpected results, checking prep, instrument performance, and test records before reporting findings
• Report analytical results clearly to operations and engineering with traceable laboratory records and safe handling practices

Skills

ICP-OES

XRF

Analytical Chemistry

Data reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

ICP-OES

XRF

Job description

About Phoenix Tailings

Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup focused on building a domestic supply of critical materials.

Our Freedom Facility in Rochester, New York will be a commercial-scale rare earth separation facility designed to expand U.S. capacity to process and separate rare earth materials.

Rare earths are essential inputs for many of the technologies that power modern life. They are used in high-performance permanent magnets found in electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, advanced electronics, aerospace systems, and defense applications.

Today, much of the world's rare earth processing and separation capacity is concentrated overseas. Building more of this capability in the United States is important for strengthening domestic supply chains, reducing reliance on foreign processing, and supporting the advanced manufacturing, energy, technology, and national-security industries that depend on these materials.

The Freedom Facility will be designed to produce thousands of tons of separated rare earth oxides annually, making Rochester an important part of Phoenix Tailings' expansion of domestic rare earth processing capacity.

Why Phoenix Tailings

At Phoenix, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you are someone who shares our relentless pursuit of a better future, passion for innovation, and are excited about working with some of the top innovators in the world, then this is the place for you.

Our Values

• You are only crazy if you are wrong, it's ok to be wrong - Say what you think even when it’s uncomfortable
• Lead with Compassion - Show up for your teammates, make the people around you better.
• Be Resourceful - Find a way with what you have, don't wait for more.
• Listen - Understand before you act, ask good questions before deciding.
• Hustle - Put your heart into every interaction, no matter how small.

Who We Are Looking For

As we build toward operations in 2027 and 2028, we are beginning to meet with individuals who may be interested in joining Phoenix Tailings.

Phoenix Tailings is looking for analytical chemistry professionals interested in future opportunities at our Rochester Freedom Facility.

Analytical Chemists will provide the chemistry data needed to control rare earth recovery, process stability, and product quality. The work includes running or coordinating inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), maintaining analytical methods and calibration, and reporting results.

This is an opportunity to support a new operating team with reliable chemistry data that helps operations and engineering understand process performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare and analyze process and product samples to assess rare earth recovery, separation performance, and oxide quality
• Operate or coordinate ICP-OES and XRF testing, selecting established methods appropriate to the sample and the operating question
• Maintain analytical methods, reference standards, calibration, and quality-control checks so results are consistent and suitable for operating decisions
• Review sample inconsistencies and unexpected results, checking preparation, instrument performance, and test records before reporting findings
• Report analytical results clearly to operations and engineering while maintaining traceable laboratory records and safe reagent and sample-handling practices

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field
• Hands-on analytical laboratory experience through academic or industrial work, including sample preparation and ICP-OES, XRF, or related instrumental methods
• Knowledge of calibration, reference standards, method consistency, and quality-control checks, with the ability to recognize unreliable or unexpected results
• Strong data accuracy and documentation skills and the ability to communicate chemistry results clearly while handling laboratory chemicals and samples safely

What We Offer:

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: $70,000-$110,000 per year
• 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).

Please note: This posting is intended to help Phoenix Tailings connect with people interested in future opportunities at our Rochester facility. Hiring timelines, responsibilities, qualifications, and organizational needs may continue to evolve as the Freedom Facility progresses toward startup and operations.