Extractive Metallurgist

Leidos is seeking an Extractive Metallurgist within the RSS Contract at National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Albany, OR.  NETL is a multi-disciplinary, scientific, and technical-oriented national laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary lab supporting fossil fuel-based energy research. The objective of the Extractive Metallurgist is to provide R&D support to help facilitate the execution of research conducted under Research and Innovation Center (RIC).

The Extractive Metallurgist will support the development of advanced processing technologies and demonstration circuits for the extraction and recovery of rare earth elements (REEs), gallium (Ga), germanium (Ge), and graphite from primary and secondary geologic feedstocks. This role will directly contribute to building secure and sustainable domestic supply chains for critical minerals.

Location: This position is onsite at the Albany, OR NETL campus.

This work will involve a multi-disciplinary, scientific, and technically-oriented national laboratory team, participation alongside other data scientists, engineers, geologists, and computer scientists that produces technological solutions for America’s energy challenges. NETL produces technological solutions for America’s energy challenges to support home-grown energy initiatives, stimulate a growing economy, and improve the health, safety, and security of all Americans. Highly skilled professionals at three NETL research sites – Albany, OR, Morgantown, WV, and Pittsburgh, PA – conduct a broad range of research activities that support DOE’s mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United.

What this opportunity with Leidos supporting NETL through a Research Support Services (RSS) contract uniquely provides you:

• Working on applied, cutting-edge projects with global impact while being mentored by the nation’s leading energy scientists and engineers. 
• Real-world experience supplemented with technical development and discussions that provide unique insight into the broad range of mission critical engineering and scientific disciplines NETL leverages to support national energy research and policy development.
• Access to world-class, customized facilities and computational assets specific to high impact energy research, technology generation, and product development.
• Support proposal development focused on expanding industry and scientific partnerships and developing new technical opportunities for NETL with federal guidance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, test, and optimize hydrometallurgical and/or pyrometallurgical processes for the efficient recovery of REEs, Ga, Ge, and graphite from complex ores, concentrates, and by-product streams.
• Conduct bench- and pilot-scale process development and demonstration work, including mineral separation, leaching, roasting, precipitation, solvent extraction, ion exchange, thermal treatment, and carbon purification. 
• Characterize feedstocks using mineralogical, chemical, and physical techniques to guide process selection and parameter optimization.
• Review, recommend, and implement new or enhanced testing equipment or protocols to improve process development.
• Work collaboratively with geologists, mineralogists, chemical engineers, and analytical chemists to develop integrated process flowsheets and accomplish other required project tasks.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to support scale-up and techno-economic assessments.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations; contribute to publications, patent filings, and strategic development.
• Set expectations and lead by example to maintain a safe and organized workplace through strict adherence to laboratory safety protocols and environmental compliance standards, and work with EH&S staff to mitigate workplace safety hazards and audits.
• Train and mentor new staff in lab operations and research methods.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external clients.
• Lead and assist in the writing of science-based methods, results, and data interpretations for publications in high quality, scientific peer-reviewed journals, and technical reports.
• Develop and present results for oral presentations to staff, stakeholders, and at professional conferences.
• Effectively document and communicate scientific results through peer-review journal manuscripts and technical reports. 
• Provide weekly and monthly technical updates to research team members and project management.
• Provide leadership and expertise on projects including delegation to team members and communication of project milestone status to management.

Required Education, Experience & Other:

• Master’s degree in Mineral Processing, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field with 6+ years of hands-on experience in extractive metallurgy, mineral processing, or chemical process development; or Ph.D in Mineral Processing, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field with 4+ years of hands-on experience in extractive metallurgy, mineral processing, or chemical process development.
• In-depth understanding of separation science and metallurgy relevant to REEs and specialty critical metals or materials.
• Familiarity with processing of oxide, sulfide, or carbon-rich materials and associated impurity management.
• Familiarity with mineral processing hazards and material waste management procedures.
• Working familiarity with complex mineralogic assemblages associated with conventional and unconventional sedimentary mineral deposits for REEs, Ga, Ge, graphite, or other critical materials and analogous mineral systems.
• Proactive intuitive adaptation – record of seeking alternative ideas and new ways to accomplish goals more effectively with forethought for downstream process.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot process challenges and adapt strategies based on evolving data.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work in multidisciplinary project teams.
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team of research scientists.
• Ability to develop and implement new standard operating procedures and work instructions for critical minerals processing and separation.
• Proven track record of publications, presentations, and/or patents related to research on geologic/mineral systems.
• Experience managing time effectively; experience developing and meeting project milestones with little oversight.
• Must be able to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.
• U.S. Citizen

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with processing of ion-adsorption clays, coal by-products, aluminum smelter by-products, or other unconventional REE/Ga/Ge sources.
• Background in graphite purification and characterization (amorphous, flake, vein).
• Proficiency in process simulation tools (e.g., HSC Chemistry, METSIM).
• Record of innovation through publications, presentations, or patents.
• Experience working for a U.S. national laboratory or as a research site-support contractor.
• Ability to plan and develop proposals for DOE or external funding opportunities.
• Experience working for a U.S. national laboratory or as a research site-support contractor.

Salary Range for this position is $115K to $125K

Original Posting:

June 24, 2025

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $104,650.00 - $189,175.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.