Laboratory Supervisor

LED FastStart • Alexandria, LA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Ucore is a TSX-listed company commercializing its patent-pending RapidSX™ rare earth element separation technology. Its first commercial rare earth processing and rare earth oxide production facility, the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex, is under development in Alexandria, Louisiana; the company also operates a Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Kingston, Ontario. The Laboratory Supervisor role is based in Alexandria, with frequent travel to Kingston and regular travel within the United States and Canada.

Reporting to the Quality Manager, the Laboratory Supervisor leads daily laboratory operations supporting RapidSX rare earth refining and solvent extraction. The role oversees analytical testing for separation processes, leads chemists and laboratory staff, and works independently and with other plant personnel to support safe, efficient, compliant operations and production goals. The supervisor monitors extraction and separation processes, validates assay results for high-purity rare earth oxides, maintains equipment, and works to minimize downtime and uphold quality standards.

The successful candidate will help install, start up, and commission manufacturing and facilities equipment, and will support company policies, goals, and objectives. The position requires availability to rotate shifts for 24/7 manufacturing operations, travel, and respond to emergency callouts outside normal working hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Metallurgy.
• 3–5 years of experience in hydrometallurgy or rare earth processing.
• Hands-on knowledge of solvent extraction (SX) and ion exchange.
• Strong leadership, communication, and data analysis skills.
• Knowledge of safety standards for hazardous chemicals and radiation in processing.
• Strong attention to detail and quality control, with meticulous adherence to procedures and protocols.
• Availability to rotate shifts to accommodate 24/7 manufacturing operations.
• Ability to travel and respond to emergency callouts outside normal working hours.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods, climb stairs and platforms, access elevated or restricted areas, and bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach for inspections.
• Ability to visually inspect equipment, systems, drawings, gauges, and work areas; hear alarms, equipment sounds, and communications in a noisy environment.
• Ability to work safely around machinery, dust, noise, vibration, and temperature extremes, and to wear required PPE.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with solvent extraction of rare earth elements.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily laboratory work for rare earth solvent extraction and separation.
• Manage a team of chemists, technicians, and analytical staff.
• Monitor solvent extraction circuits, phase separation, and purity yields.
• Ensure adherence to environmental, health, and safety protocols.
• Validate analytical data from ICP-MS, XRF, and titration assays.
• Troubleshoot chemical processing issues and optimize extraction efficiency.
• Lead or participate in root cause analysis of processing issues, including time to recovery.
• Support equipment installation, startup, and commissioning of manufacturing and facilities equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level