Metallurgical Chemist

SLR Consulting•Fort Collins, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

SLR Consulting (Americas) is hiring a Metallurgical Chemist to support its metallurgical testing laboratory in Fort Collins, Colorado. The role supports test programs for the mining and mineral processing industries, focusing on analytical chemistry, precious metal extraction, and mineral characterization. Approximately 70% of the work involves analytical chemistry and metallurgical testing, while approximately 30% involves physical sample preparation and general laboratory operations. The work takes place in analytical laboratory and industrial sample preparation environments.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific discipline; equivalent relevant laboratory experience may be considered.
Hands-on experience in an analytical, industrial, mining, environmental, or metallurgical laboratory.
Knowledge of analytical chemistry, sample preparation, laboratory quality control, and preparation of reagents, standards, and analytical solutions.
Strong attention to detail, documentation skills, and mechanical aptitude, with willingness to troubleshoot and maintain laboratory equipment.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a hands-on laboratory environment.
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Understanding of chemical safety, hazardous waste management, and safe handling of laboratory chemicals and industrial equipment.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of professional analytical laboratory experience.
Experience with ICP-OES, AAS, LECO instrumentation, precious metal analysis, acid digestion, or geochemical and metallurgical process solution analysis.
Familiarity with mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, cyanidation chemistry, carbon adsorption, and gold extraction processes.
Experience with analytical method development, QA/QC, preventative instrument maintenance, and mechanical sample preparation equipment.

Responsibilities

Perform analytical testing on ores, mineral concentrates, process solutions, and metallurgical test products, including gold, silver, and other metals.
Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot analytical equipment, including ICP-OES, AAS, LECO carbon and sulfur analyzers, pH meters, and analytical balances.
Conduct sample digestion and chemical preparation using multi-acid and aqua regia methods; prepare standards, reagents, calibration solutions, and quality control samples.
Support cyanidation, bottle roll, column leach, carbon adsorption, and other metallurgical testing programs.
Perform analytical QA/QC using calibration checks, blanks, duplicates, and reference materials; investigate discrepancies, contamination, and analytical interferences.
Maintain accurate test records, analytical results, and instrument maintenance logs; assist with analytical method development, improvement, and validation.
Receive, organize, label, and track geological and metallurgical samples; prepare representative portions for testing.
Crush, split, pulverize, screen, and homogenize samples using jaw crushers, pulverizers, rotary splitters, and screening equipment.
Assist with bulk sample handling, metallurgical test setup, laboratory housekeeping, and routine equipment cleaning, inspection, and preventative maintenance.
Follow health, safety, and environmental procedures when handling acids, cyanide solutions, hazardous chemicals, dust, mechanical equipment, and materials.