About The Role

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Research Metallurgist

Reporting to: Manager, New Advanced Products

Business Unit / Function: Technology & Innovation

Grade: M10

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Specialist, Research Metallurgist advances Maaden’s technology and innovation agenda by converting metallurgical research, testing, and process development into tangible operational and commercial value. The role strengthens decision-making by providing deep technical expertise that improves resource recovery, process performance, product quality, and operational efficiency.

The role reduces technical uncertainty through rigorous laboratory and pilot-scale investigations, enabling informed investment, engineering, and process optimization decisions. Through robust analysis and evidence-based recommendations, it accelerates innovation while minimizing operational and metallurgical risk.

By bridging research, pilot testing, and operational implementation, the role supports sustainable growth, technology advancement, and continuous improvement across Ma’aden’s mining and minerals processing operations.

What You Will Deliver

Metallurgical Research & Technical Evaluation

Deliver specialized metallurgical investigations that improve understanding of process performance, recovery opportunities, and technical constraints.
Generate reliable laboratory and pilot-scale data that supports engineering studies, technology evaluations, and operational decisions.
Strengthen confidence in metallurgical decisions through rigorous testing, analysis, and interpretation of complex datasets.

Process Development & Optimization

Improve recovery, grade, throughput, reagent efficiency, energy performance, and product quality through data-driven process recommendations.
Develop and refine metallurgical flowsheets, operating parameters, and testing methodologies that enhance operational performance.
Support scale-up and technology deployment activities through technically sound recommendations and evaluation inputs.

Technical Analysis & Decision Support

Deliver technical assessments, mass and metal balances, kinetics evaluations, and process analyses that enable informed decision-making.
Translate complex metallurgical findings into clear recommendations for engineering, operations, and management stakeholders.
Identify technical risks, uncertainties, and performance gaps while recommending practical mitigation and improvement actions.

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

Advance innovation initiatives through evaluation of new technologies, methodologies, and process improvement opportunities.
Strengthen continuous improvement programs by identifying opportunities to enhance metallurgical performance and operational effectiveness.
Support knowledge development and transfer that enables long-term technical capability growth.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Technical Leadership

Provide specialist metallurgical expertise to multidisciplinary teams, laboratories, pilot plant personnel, and external partners.
Strengthen technical execution through guidance, mentoring, and alignment with approved quality and safety standards.
Deliver clear technical reports, presentations, and recommendations that facilitate action and value realization.

What Success Looks Like

Metallurgical test work and investigations consistently deliver reliable data and actionable technical insights.
Process improvement initiatives result in enhanced recovery, product quality, efficiency, and operational performance.
Technical recommendations successfully support feasibility studies, pilot campaigns, technology evaluations, and process development projects.
Metallurgical risks and process challenges are identified early and addressed through practical, evidence-based solutions.
Stakeholders receive clear, timely, and high-quality technical support that improves decision quality and project outcomes.
Innovation, safety, quality, and continuous improvement objectives are consistently achieved.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.

Experience

6–8 years of relevant experience in metallurgical research, mineral processing testwork, pilot plant operations, process development, or extractive metallurgy.
Hands-on experience designing and executing metallurgical testwork programs and interpreting complex technical data.
Experience supporting feasibility studies, process optimization initiatives, pilot campaigns, operational troubleshooting, and technology evaluations.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, provide specialist advice, and guide less experienced team members or external service providers.