Metals & Minerals Inorganic Chemist

Mineral & Metal Inorganic Chemist

San Diego, CA

OHR is pioneering a new era of chemical manufacturing built on Creationary Chemistry™, a platform that merges biological intelligence with primordial chemistry to create essential molecules in ways that are cleaner, smarter, and independent from traditional oil-based supply chains. We design and scale chemistry that matters most, delivering strategic chemicals with deterministic carbon chains and minimal contaminants, strengthening industrial resilience and global sovereignty.

Our work spans advanced synthetic pathways, catalysis, and scalable process design, with real-world impact across fuels, materials, and critical industrial sectors.

At OHR, scientists are not observers, they are builders and operators of real chemistry. Our chemistry team operates at the front edge of discovery and scale‑up, translating new reaction pathways into chemistry that can actually be made, validated, and deployed.

We’re looking for a Metals & Minerals Inorganic Chemist who wants to spend their days in the lab designing experiments, generating real data, and pushing reactions forward. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in hands‑on R&D environments, enjoys learning by doing, and wants direct ownership over chemistry that moves from benchtop to real‑world application.

You’ll be a core contributor to OHR’s Creationary Chemistry™ platform, supporting and advancing metals and minerals processing technology from early discovery through scale‑ready development.

• Execute and design experiments supporting minerals, metals, and inorganic process chemistry development across OHR R&D programs
• Assist in discovering novel metals separations technologies leveraging OHR’s Creative Chemistry™ platform
• Evaluate global mineral samples for elemental composition
• Design strategies for recycling of metals and ions from manmade materials
• Develop methodologies for extraction and concentration of metals from ore
• Design, build, test, and validate strategies for separation of similar species
• Generate high‑quality experimental data to support analytical method development (internally and with partners)
• Document, optimize, and train teammates on technical procedures and specialized reactions
• Prepare detailed experimental records, data packages, and protocols to support technology transfer to Manufacturing and external partners
• Contribute to research strategy and IP development to strengthen the Creationary Chemistry™ platform
• Uphold and exemplify excellence in laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, and responsible research practices

This role is for someone who wants to do the work. You’re excited to be in the lab, comfortable operating in environments where not everything is defined yet, and motivated by building chemistry systems from the ground up.

You may have experience in academic, industrial, or startup labs—but you’re drawn to environments where your experiments directly shape direction, not just reports. At OHR, Chemists and Scientists are trusted contributors whose work materially advances the platform.

• Bachelor’s degree in Inorganic Chemistry or related field
• Preference for a Master’s or PhD in Inorganic Chemistry
• A strong record of laboratory safety and chemical hygiene
• Hands‑on experience contributing to chemistry R&D projects, including technical work in one or more of the following:
• Separation or purification of metals from ore samples
• Elemental analysis of real world samples
• Leaching, extraction, chelating, and/or processing of minerals
• Strong experimental documentation and data analysis skills

• Experience working with international technical teams or external partners
• Familiarity with export‑controlled or restricted technical information

• Onsite, 5 days per week, in a collaborative and fast‑moving R&D environment
• Hands‑on work in BSL‑1 and Haz Mat laboratories with flammable, corrosive, and other hazardous materials
• Up to ~10% travel to support collaborators, facilities, or program needs

OHR is an equal opportunity employer. We believe breakthrough science comes from diverse perspectives, and we’re committed to building an inclusive, respectful, and ambitious workplace.