Sr. Research Engineer Job

Arkema Inc; Mulberry (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkema Inc. in Florida seeks a senior scientist to lead design, development, evaluation and commercialization of specialty reagents for mineral processing, including phosphate and lithium markets.

You will oversee lab, pilot, and plant-scale validation with customers, commercial teams, and operations. The role translates surface chemistry into practical solutions to improve recovery, grade, water use, and sustainability, while mentoring junior staff and contributing to safety initiatives.

Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years in specialty chemicals or MS with 10+ years.
• Experience in mineral processing technology such as flotation and hydrometallurgy.
• Knowledge of frother, depressant, dispersant chemistries is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops and evaluates reagents for phosphate, lithium, and minerals.
• Identify opportunities to improve recovery, grade, and water utilization.
• Apply surface chemistry principles to practical solutions.
• Support plant surveys, field trials, and customer site visits.
• Lead cross-functional teams to meet project objectives.
• Communicate risk and technical results to customers and management.

Skills

Organic chemistry

Colloid chemistry

Interfacial phenomena

Experimental design

Data analytics

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

MS in related field

BS with extensive experience

Job description

JOB DIMENSIONS

General purpose: This position provides the opportunity to work on cutting edge reagent technologies supporting critical minerals, phosphate, lithium, and industrial mineral markets. The successful candidate will collaborate directly with major global mining companies and contribute to technologies that improve resource recovery and sustainability.
This role is responsible for the design, development, evaluation, and commercialization of specialty reagents used in mineral processing applications. Leads laboratory, pilot-scale, and plant-scale validation of new technologies in partnership with customers, commercial teams, and operations. Acts as a technical expert in mineral beneficiation, translating fundamental surface chemistry principles into practical solutions that improve recovery, grade, throughput, water management, and sustainability. Provides technical support to key mining customers globally through troubleshooting, process optimization, competitive benchmarking, and identification of unmet market needs. Actively participates in several departmental safety initiatives such as participation in steering teams or making safety presentations (safety topics, observations, reporting) and leading department safety meetings. Mentors less experienced employees in the department on company, process, and industry knowledge as well as how to practice safe working habits.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops and evaluates flotation collectors, depressants, frothers, modifiers, dispersants, and specialty reagents for phosphate, lithium, industrial minerals, rare earths, sulfide minerals and other strategic mineral applications.
• Identifies opportunities to improve recovery, concentrate grade, reagent efficiency, water utilization, and operating costs.
• Develops mechanistic understanding of mineral-reagent interactions through application of colloid, surface, and interfacial chemistry principles.
• Regularly participates in customer site visits, plant surveys, process audits, and field trials to validate product performance and identify opportunities for operational improvement.
• Supports development of more sustainable reagent technologies including solutions that reduce water consumption, improve selectivity, reduce energy consumption, or enable processing of lower-grade resources
• Represents cross-functional teams to external customers or other outside groups to achieve technical goals in support of commercial objectives.
• Develops, plans, coordinates, and executes regional projects successfully.
• Understands IP landscape with respect to Arkema technology vs competitive technologies. Helps develop IP strategy.
• Takes leading role in committee work of professional organizations (e.g. SME, SPE, NACE, SAE, etc.).
• Delivers product and applications presentations at regional and national level conferences in support of business objectives.
• Understands the customer needs and makes appropriate product and/or process recommendations to resolve problems.
• Generates technical reports including complex data analysis, interpretation and recommendations with minimal management review required.
• Identifies root causes of more complex customer/product problems. Develops analytical strategies and executes action plans to resolve causes utilizing external/international laboratories or resources.
• Solves complex technical problems by making product and process recommendations. Regularly submits technical needs and/or new project ideas to R&D group.
• Applies advanced statistical methods or numerical modeling and simulation techniques to solve complex product application and/or process problems.
• Works with the customer and offers scientifically based advice when faced with ambiguity, incomplete data and time pressures. Effectively communicates risk levels inherent under above circumstances.
• Determines validity of product performance complaints using product specifications, QC data and lab results. Determines suitability of products and/or product concepts to meet the customer specifications and comply with performance requirements.
• Identifies and initiates projects leading to growth opportunities.
• Serves as project team leader for gated projects, meeting objectives and timelines.
• Advocates Arkema positions on products to customers. Leads technical service activities including customer presentation.
• Some travel is required: < 25%

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Polymer Science or other relevant technical field with 5+ years of industrial experience in specialty chemicals, or MS degree with 10+ years, or BS degree with 15+ years of relevant experience.
• Desired technical expertise in the following areas: organic chemistry, colloid chemistry, surfactant science, interfacial phenomena, experimental design, and data analytics.
• Experience in mineral processing technology, i.e. flotation, hydrometallurgy, extractive metallurgy, and formulation of mining chemicals is desired. Knowledge of, frother, depressant, dispersant, and modifier chemistries preferred.
• Understanding of mineral characterization techniques.
• Self-starting ability with exceptional time and project management skills.