Metallurgical Chemist

SLR Consulting; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Orthodontia

Vision

FSA/HSA

PTO accrual

Holidays

401(k) with company matching

Company paid life insurance

Short & long term disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

SLR Consulting (Americas) is seeking a Metallurgical Chemist for its Fort Collins, Colorado laboratory. The role focuses on analytical chemistry, metallurgical testing, and mineral characterization for mining processes.

Approximately 70% of duties involve analytical testing and 30% cover sample prep and general lab operations. Opportunities exist for growth and hands-on equipment work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related field required or equivalent lab experience.
• Hands-on analytical, industrial, or metallurgical lab experience preferred.
• Knowledge of QA/QC, reagents, standards and analytical solutions.
• Able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lb.

Responsibilities

• Perform analytical testing on ores and metallurgical samples including gold and silver.
• Operate, calibrate, and troubleshoot ICP-OES, AAS, LECO analyzers.
• Prepare samples using multi-acid digestion and aqua regia methods.
• Assist with cyanidation, bottle roll, column leach, and carbon adsorption tests.
• Maintain test records, instrument logs, and QA/QC documentation.
• Develop and validate analytical methods and QA/QC checks.
• Manage sample receiving, labeling, and portioning for testing.
• Crush, split, pulverize, and homogenize samples using lab equipment.
• Support lab housekeeping and preventative maintenance routines.
• Follow safety procedures for acids, cyanide, and hazardous materials.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Metallurgy lab techniques

Equipment maintenance

QA/QC procedures

Sample preparation

Documentation

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Equivalent relevant lab experience

Tools

ICP-OES

AAS

LECO analyzers

pH meters

Analytical balances

Job description

We are SLR Consulting (Americas), a 1500+ team of advisory, environmental, engineering, and regulatory professionals across the United States, Canada, and LATAM. We deliver environmental and sustainability services to our clients through the integration of over 30 advisory, technical environmental, and engineering disciplines to help clients address some of their most complex challenges around sustainability. We are Making Sustainability Happen.

As our new Metallurgical Chemist , you will play an important role in our metallurgical testing laboratory in Fort Collins, Colorado. You will support test programs for the mining and mineral processing industries, with a focus on analytical chemistry, precious metal extraction, and mineral characterization.

Approximately 70% of this hands‑on position will involve analytical chemistry and metallurgical testing, with the remaining 30% dedicated to physical sample preparation and general laboratory operations. You will work in both analytical laboratory and industrial sample preparation environments.

Responsibilities:

• Perform analytical testing on ores, mineral concentrates, process solutions, and metallurgical test products, including gold, silver, and other metals.
• Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot analytical equipment, including ICP-OES, AAS, LECO carbon and sulfur analyzers, pH meters, and analytical balances.
• Conduct sample digestion and chemical preparation, including multi‑acid and aqua regia methods; prepare standards, reagents, calibration solutions, and quality control samples.
• Support cyanidation, bottle roll, column leach, carbon adsorption, and other metallurgical testing programs.
• Perform analytical QA/QC using calibration checks, blanks, duplicates, and reference materials; investigate discrepancies, contamination, and analytical interferences.
• Maintain accurate test records, analytical results, and instrument maintenance logs; assist with analytical method development, improvement, and validation.
• Receive, organize, label, and track geological and metallurgical samples; prepare representative portions for testing.
• Crush, split, pulverize, screen, and homogenize samples using jaw crushers, pulverizers, rotary splitters, and screening equipment.
• Assist with bulk sample handling, metallurgical test setup, laboratory housekeeping, and routine equipment cleaning, inspection, and preventative maintenance.
• Follow established health, safety, and environmental procedures when handling acids, cyanide solutions, hazardous chemicals, dust, mechanical equipment, and materials.

Working @ SLR

With us, there is no doubt you’ll grow your subject‑matter expertise and industry knowledge. We care about investing in our employees for the long‑run, and if you ask our team, they’ll tell you that’s just one of the many benefits of working here. We want to be a place where you can experience career growth and satisfaction for many years.

Here’s what else you’ll enjoy as part of our team:

• Competitive total compensation package including medical, dental, orthodontia, vision, FSA/HSA, generous PTO accrual, 10 paid holidays, 401(k) retirement account with company matching program, company paid life insurance, short & long term disability insurance, and employee assistance program.
• The hourly pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/hr. Final agreed upon compensation will be commensurate with individual education, qualifications, years of experience, internal parity, and location.
• Full‑time, on‑site role in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a regular Monday‑Friday schedule of 7:00 AM-3:30 PM and opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Qualifications/Education/Memberships:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline; equivalent relevant laboratory experience may be considered.
• Hands‑on experience in an analytical, industrial, mining, environmental, or metallurgical laboratory.
• Knowledge of analytical chemistry, sample preparation, laboratory quality control, and preparation of reagents, standards, and analytical solutions.
• Strong attention to detail, documentation skills, mechanical aptitude, and willingness to troubleshoot and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hands‑on laboratory environment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Two or more years of professional analytical laboratory experience preferred.
• Experience with ICP-OES, AAS, LECO instrumentation, precious metal analysis, acid digestion, or geochemical and metallurgical process solution analysis preferred.
• Familiarity with mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, cyanidation chemistry, carbon adsorption, and gold extraction processes preferred.
• Experience with analytical method development, QA/QC, preventative instrument maintenance, and mechanical sample preparation equipment preferred.
• Understanding of chemical safety, hazardous waste management, and safe handling of laboratory chemicals and industrial equipment.

Work Environment:

This position involves work in an industrial metallurgical testing laboratory, including handling mineral samples and chemical solutions, operating analytical and mechanical equipment, and working around dust, noise, and machinery. Required personal protective equipment may include safety glasses, laboratory coats, gloves, hearing protection, and respiratory protection, as applicable. Candidates must be willing to regularly perform physical sample preparation duties in addition to analytical work.

This job posting is for an existing vacancy. Artificial intelligence is not being used to screen, assess, or select applicants.

SLR strives to build diverse teams that reflect the communities we work in, and encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented groups including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, veterans, and people with disabilities.