Laboratory Technician – Critical Mineral Separation and Refining

Job Title: Laboratory Technician – Critical Mineral Separation and Refining

Location: 1716 Pleasant St., Noblesville, IN 46060

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: R&D

Position Summary

We are seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Laboratory Technician to support our mineral and metal refining operations. The ideal candidate will perform sample preparation, routine analyses, and assist with day-to-day laboratory activities supporting rare-earth element, critical mineral, and high-purity metal purification processes. This hands-on role is essential for keeping laboratory workflows running smoothly, ensuring consistent data quality, and maintaining safe operating conditions in a fast-paced R&D and production support environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare solid and liquid samples from process streams, including weighing, grinding, digestion, and dilution.
• Support analytical measurements using techniques such as ICP-MS, ICP-OES, pH/conductivity, titration, gravimetry, and moisture analysis.
• Maintain laboratory instruments, glassware, balances, and sample preparation equipment in good working order.
• Assist in column packing, reagent preparation, and buffer formulation for aqueous chromatography or separation processes.
• Perform routine calibrations, quality-control checks, and instrument standardizations under the guidance of senior chemists.
• Accurately record all sample data, observations, and test results in laboratory notebooks and digital systems (LIMS or spreadsheets).
• Manage inventory of laboratory consumables, reagents, and compressed gases.
• Follow established SOPs, QA/QC procedures, and safety protocols for handling acids, bases, and metal-bearing materials.
• Support waste labeling, segregation, and disposal consistent with environmental and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with analytical and process engineers to ensure timely sample turnaround and consistent reporting.

Qualifications

Required:

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Technology, or related field, or equivalent hands-on laboratory experience.
• At least 1–3 years of laboratory experience in a chemical, metallurgical, or materials environment.
• Familiarity with wet chemistry techniques and analytical instrumentation.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to data integrity.
• Basic computer literacy (Excel, Word, LIMS entry) and ability to follow written SOPs precisely.

Preferred:

• Experience in minerals processing, hydrometallurgy, or rare-earth element analysis.
• Knowledge of acid digestion, filtration, and solid-liquid separation techniques.
• Exposure to ICP-MS/ICP-OES or chromatography systems (e.g., ÄKTA, ion exchange).
• Understanding of laboratory QA/QC documentation (ISO 9001, ISO 17025).
• Forklift, cleanroom, or pilot-plant experience a plus.

Work Environment:

• Laboratory setting within an advanced metal refining or process development facility.
• Involves handling acids, reagents, and mineral powders under fume hoods or glove boxes.
• Requires proper PPE and strict adherence to chemical hygiene and safety protocols.
• Frequent interaction with R&D chemists, process engineers, and analytical teams.

Benefits:

• Salary range: $70k – 80k
• Health, dental, and vision coverage
• Opportunities for technical training and advancement
• Collaborative, sustainability-driven workplace supporting the clean-energy materials supply chain