Hydrometallurgy Lab Technician for REE Recovery

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

Benefits offered by this job

37.5-hour work week

13 holidays per year

24 annual leave days

18 sick days per year

Health insurance benefits

401(a) retirement match

Wellness programs

Job summary

West Virginia University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering seeks an Engineering Technician to support lab-scale and pilot-scale hydrometallurgical operations focused on rare earth element recovery from AMD and related feedstocks. The role emphasizes hands-on process execution, data collection, and continuous improvement of recovery, separation, and purification steps.

The incumbent will work on-site in Morgantown, ensure safe handling of chemicals, and collaborate with the team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Technology, Process Technology, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or related field.
• At least 2 years of hands-on experience in chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, water treatment, or mineral processing preferred.
• Equivalent education/experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain lab-scale and pilot-scale hydrometallurgical equipment (reactors, clarifiers, filters, solvent extraction circuits, precipitation systems).
• Prepare reagents and solutions; conduct leaching, precipitation, and purification experiments.
• Collect, label, and prepare samples for analysis (ICP-OES/MS, titration, pH, conductivity).
• Monitor process parameters and record operational data.
• Support scale-up activities by executing test plans and SOPs.
• Assist with troubleshooting and corrective actions.
• Maintain safe chemical handling and EHS compliance.
• Perform routine equipment inspection, cleaning, calibration, and minor maintenance.
• Document results in lab notebooks and databases.

Skills

Aqueous chemistry

SOP adherence

Data integrity

Driver's license

Weight lifting 50 lbs

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical/Process Engineering or related field

Job description

West Virginia University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering seeks an Engineering Technician to support lab-scale and pilot-scale hydrometallurgical operations focused on rare earth element recovery from AMD and related feedstocks. The role emphasizes hands-on process execution, data collection, and continuous improvement of recovery, separation, and purification steps.

The incumbent will work on-site in Morgantown, ensure safe handling of chemicals, and collaborate with the team