Hands-On Hydromet Lab Technician for Rare Earth Recovery

West Virginia University; Evansdale (WV); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

18 sick days/year

401(a) retirement match

Wellness programs

Job summary

West Virginia University in Morgantown seeks an Engineering Technician to support laboratory, pilot-scale hydrometallurgical operations for rare earth element recovery from AMD feedstocks. The role emphasizes hands-on data collection, process execution, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include operating equipment, preparing reagents, sampling for analysis, monitoring parameters, following SOPs, and maintaining safety, data integrity, and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Technology, Process Technology, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or closely related field.
• Minimum of two years hands-on experience in chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, water treatment, or mineral processing preferred.
• Equivalents considered; meet all qualifications by employment.
• On-site requirement and safety standards must be met.

Responsibilities

• Operate lab-scale and pilot-scale hydrometallurgical equipment (reactors, clarifiers, filters, solvent extraction, precipitation).
• Prepare reagents and solutions; conduct leaching, precipitation, and purification experiments.
• Collect and prepare samples for ICP-OES/MS, titration, pH, conductivity, solids analysis.
• Monitor process parameters and record operational data accurately.
• Support scale-up via test plans, SOPs, and protocols.
• Assist with troubleshooting and corrective actions.
• Maintain safe chemical handling practices and EHS compliance.
• Perform equipment inspection, cleaning, calibration, and maintenance.
• Document results in lab notebooks, databases, and reports.
• Maintain data security and IP confidentiality.
• Interface professionally with external customers per WVU policy.

Skills

Aqueous chemistry

SOP compliance

Data integrity

Driver's license

Heavy lifting

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

West Virginia University in Morgantown seeks an Engineering Technician to support laboratory, pilot-scale hydrometallurgical operations for rare earth element recovery from AMD feedstocks. The role emphasizes hands-on data collection, process execution, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities include operating equipment, preparing reagents, sampling for analysis, monitoring parameters, following SOPs, and maintaining safety, data integrity, and documentation.