Principal Specialist, International R&D Scientist

About the role

Ma'aden, a fast-growing mining and metals company in the Middle East, is hiring a Principal Specialist, International Research & Development Scientist in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. The role connects Ma'aden with global research institutions, technology developers, startups and mining organisations to turn external research and technology into scalable solutions that improve resource recovery, exploration, process efficiency, environmental outcomes and productivity.

Key responsibilities

• Build and sustain strategic relationships with international universities, research institutes, technology providers, startups and mining innovation organisations, and set up collaboration frameworks for technology development, validation, commercialisation and deployment.
• Develop a pipeline of emerging technologies aligned with sustainability, resource growth and operational excellence, and evaluate their maturity, scalability, commercial viability and IP considerations.
• Lead pilot programmes, feasibility studies, demonstrations and validation initiatives, ensuring research outcomes are scalable and operationally integrable.
• Accelerate the move from concept to industrial deployment through structured testing and business case development.
• Develop partnerships for co-development, licensing, strategic alliances and joint ventures, and maintain a prioritised innovation portfolio with executive reporting.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Geoscience or a related discipline; Master's preferred, PhD desirable.
• 10-15 years of experience in mining, mineral processing, technology development, innovation, strategic partnerships or business development.
• Experience collaborating with international universities, research institutions, technology companies, startups or innovation ecosystems.
• Proven experience taking technologies from concept through commercialisation or deployment.

Required skills

• Technology scouting and due diligence
• Mining innovation and technology commercialisation
• Research programme design and experimental validation
• Strategic technology assessment, business case development and value realisation
• Global partnership development, stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration

What we offer

• Career growth and competitive salaries
• A comprehensive package
• An inclusive work environment and work-life balance
• Employee wellness