Senior Chemist - Geochemistry / Mineral Laboratory

Role overview

Technical leadership and laboratory operations

• Coordinate daily analytical activities in compliance with approved methods, procedures, and applicable standards.
• Develop, validate, verify, and implement analytical methods; review data, investigate non-conforming results, and coordinate corrective actions.
• Oversee equipment and instrument performance, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting; maintain LIMS and improve systems and workflows.
• Coordinate proficiency testing, inter-laboratory comparisons, and quality-control programmes.
• Monitor consumables, certified reference materials, reagents, and inventory requirements.

Quality management and accreditation

• Lead and support establishment, achievement, and maintenance of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
• Ensure compliance with quality management system requirements and applicable technical standards.
• Coordinate accreditation assessments, internal and external audits, corrective actions, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and complete technical documentation, analytical records, and quality-control data.

Team leadership and delegated management

• Train, coach, and assess technical competency of chemists and other laboratory personnel; guide staff on methods, quality, equipment, and procedures.
• Promote quality, safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• When delegated, oversee daily operations, production planning, staffing, workload allocation, production targets, turnaround times, and KPIs.
• When delegated, coordinate customer inquiries, represent the laboratory in meetings, approve technical documentation within delegated authority, address operational issues, and escalate significant risks.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Geochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• At least 7 years of laboratory experience, including at least 3 years in a senior or supervisory position.
• Relevant experience in a geochemistry, mineral testing, or analytical laboratory.
• Strong technical knowledge of ICP-OES, ICP-MS, Fire Assay, and laboratory analytical methods.
• Good understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and laboratory quality management systems.

Required skills

• Strong technical leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and spoken English, including technical report writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Commitment to health and safety, integrity, and professional conduct.