Senior Chemist; FIPR

Make a difference at one of Florida’s premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed.

Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

Senior Chemist (FIPR)

The Senior Chemist will study the fundamentals of beneficiation technology, develop new processes, new analytical methods, and provide specialized analytical services in support of the Institute projects. The employee is also expected to develop and modify chemical procedures and to prepare and analyze samples for the Institute’s research program. The employee is responsible for the organization, safety, and supervision of the Analytical Chemistry Lab and Chemical Inventory.

This individual should be willing to learn new skills, assist on a wide variety of projects, and be adaptable to new areas of research as priorities change within the department. This position reports to the Director of Operations. The successful candidate would preferably have prior experience with research and analysis related to rare earth elements.

• Plan and perform lab analyses.
• Maintain digital records of experimental data and operate a variety of specialized equipment, including ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and other spectrometers, Lachat flow analyzer, electrolytic analyzers, pH meters, and centrifuges.
• Develop, recommend, and implement new or modified analytical procedures to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of laboratory analyses.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair, or recommend repair of, analytical instruments.
• Design and control processes to separate metals from ore.
• Write documents, manuals, metallurgical investigations, and reports in support of customer liaison.
• Discuss different solutions to problems with other technical staff.
• Define the goals of research projects.
• Establish laboratory priorities.
• Conduct laboratory and pilot plant tests.
• Evaluate data and prepare statistical analyses.
• Prepare research reports.
• Operate analytical instruments.
• Maintain the minerals processing laboratory.
• Prepare analytical standard solutions.
• Develop analytical methods and chemical analyses.
• Develop new analytical methods.
• Provide specialized analytical services on Institute projects.
• Participate in research projects to solve real-world analytical and process-related problems.
• Develop and implement new, feasible, and practical analytical methods.
• Interface with internal and external customers, interpret analytical data, and generate reports.
• Manage and track the research of rare earth elements.
• Maintain compliance with safety procedures and standards.
• Maintain competency with pertinent instruments: ICP, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, ion chromatograph, as needed for chemical analysis.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and/or required.

• A Master’s degree in chemistry, metallurgy, material science/technology, or related sciences (or similar engineering area of specialization) and five years of appropriate experience.
• Appropriate college coursework may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
• In lieu of a degree, any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

• A Ph.D. Degree in an appropriate area of specialization and 3 years of experience.
• Preference will be given to graduate degrees in the above areas and to work related to the phosphate industry in various capacities.
• Experience with research and recovery of rare earth elements is a plus.

• Knowledge of analytical chemical procedures and equipment used to perform procedures.
• Ability to modify and adapt existing analytical procedures.
• Ability…