Product Development Scientist

About Tronox

Tronox is the world’s leading vertically integrated manufacturer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment and other materials that add brightness and durability to products you encounter every day. We are 5,700 people strong, located across six continents and unified by a strong set of values that guide us in our work. At our mines and manufacturing plants, labs and offices, we responsibly transform the earth’s resources into products and opportunities that enhance lives.

Our vision is to shape a sustainable, thriving world through enriched and refined minerals.

Tronox’s Oklahoma City facility plays a vital role in the company’s global research and development efforts, fostering innovation and collaboration among multiple dynamic teams.

We are seeking a scientist to join a cross-functional team leading to implementation of findings from research & development projects. The ideal candidate has experience and interest in developing methods for various analytical techniques and running fundamental as well as scale-up experiments to optimize a variety of chemical processes. In addition, the candidate will also have experience and interest in data architecture, organization, and management skills to enable modeling, machine learning, and AI applications.

This role requires a strong background in chemistry, problem-solving abilities, and strategic thinking, especially related to data architecture to enable effective application of AI processes as a critical mass of data is generated in the laboratory.

As a Product Development Scientist, you will play a key role in leading data-driven research to an advance ongoing projects. You will contribute to the optimization and operational implementation of processing and separating of rare earth elements from rare earth containing feed stocks. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a background in chemistry or chemical engineering.

• Conduct research on rare earth mineral concentration and purification processes starting from rare earth containing feedstock.
• Develop analytical methods for the evaluation of raw materials, in-process samples, and final products.
• Strategic design of data architecture to enable effective application of AI tools to improve rare earth separation and purification processes.
• Optimize and improve existing data infrastructure for performance and scalability.
• Conduct research and experiments to improve separation efficiency and yield.
• Analyze & model process data and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, including standard operating procedures and work instructions.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Contribute to a global cross-functional development team.

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Fundamental understanding of inorganic and analytical chemistry.
• Knowledge of database management and modeling techniques.
• Self-motivated and can work in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

• Knowledge of rare earth metal extraction techniques.
• Knowledge of solvent extraction, ion exchange, and other separation techniques.
• Advanced degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with analytical elemental analysis techniques: XRF & ICP.
• Experience with design of experiments.
• Experience with process scale‑up.
• Proficiency in process simulation software and data analysis tools.

Our global reach is strengthened by our human connections. We challenge one another to deliver excellence and encourage our people to think big. Together, we develop innovations that make…