Senior Specialist, Research Metallurgist

About the role

Ma'aden, a fast-growing mining and metals company in the Middle East, is hiring a Senior Specialist, Research Metallurgist in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. The role turns metallurgical research, testing and process development into operational and commercial value, strengthening decisions on resource recovery, process performance, product quality and efficiency through laboratory and pilot-scale investigations.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out metallurgical investigations and generate reliable laboratory and pilot-scale data for engineering studies and technology evaluations.
• 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, and support scale-up and technology deployment.
• Deliver technical assessments, mass and metal balances, kinetics evaluations and process analyses, and turn findings into clear recommendations for engineering, operations and management.
• Evaluate new technologies and process improvements, and support continuous improvement and knowledge transfer.
• Advise multidisciplinary teams, laboratories, pilot plant personnel and external partners, and mentor less experienced colleagues.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• 6-8 years of experience in metallurgical research, mineral processing testwork, pilot plant operations, process development or extractive metallurgy.
• Experience designing and running metallurgical testwork programs, supporting feasibility studies, pilot campaigns and technology evaluations.
• Ability to work independently, give specialist advice and guide others.

Required skills

• Metallurgical testwork design and execution, mineral processing and extractive metallurgy
• Mass and metal balancing, flowsheet development and process optimization
• Pilot plant testing and scale-up support, technical data interpretation and statistical analysis
• Technical reporting, stakeholder communication and technical coaching

What we offer

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