2.3. Mineralogist - Rare Earth Elements

Job Description

Job Description

About Phoenix Tailings  

Phoenix Tailings is a rapidly growing clean mining and metals production startup dedicated to sustainable and economic critical metals production. Our mission is to be the world’s first fully clean mining and metals production company—delivering the resources essential to power the technology of today and tomorrow. 

Why Phoenix Tailings  

At Phoenix, we believe that nothing great is ever accomplished alone—or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. If you're driven by the urgency of securing domestic rare earth supply chains and excited to help redefine how the world sources these critical materials—this is the place for you. 

Our Values:   

● You are only crazy if you are wrong, it’s ok to be wrong

● Lead with Compassion

● Be Resourceful

● Listen

● Hustle

Who We Are Looking For:  

Phoenix Tailings is looking for a Mineralogist with hands on experience in rare earth element-bearing minerals and their associated gangue. You’ll play a pivotal role in helping us unlock and optimize REE extraction pathways from unconventional sources like industrial waste and tailings. Your mineralogical insights will directly shape our clean, scalable recovery technologies and accelerate the availability of REEs vital to electrification, defense, and advanced manufacturing. 

• Characterize REE-bearing minerals (e.g., monazite, bastnäsite, xenotime) and associated phases using tools such as XRD, SEM-EDS, optical microscopy, and QEMSCAN 
• Identify, quantify, and track rare earth mineral phases across feedstocks, intermediates, and residues to inform extraction pathways 
• Develop mineralogical workflows that improve rare earth recovery, separation efficiency, and overall process economics 
• Design and conduct hands-on mineral separation experiments and sample prep for downstream processing 
• Interpret complex mineral assemblages to assist in designing metallurgical flowsheets for REE extraction 
• Provide technical recommendations to R&D and chemical engineering teams based on real-time mineralogical data 
• Maintain and operate mineral characterization tools in a lab-scale environment with a high degree of autonomy 
• Translate complex mineralogical insights into actionable technical guidance" 

• PhD or Master’s in Mineralogy, Geology, Earth Sciences, or related field, with a focus on rare earth or critical metal systems 
• 2+ years of experience (academic or industry) with mineralogical analysis of REE-bearing materials 
• Proficiency in analytical tools for rare earth mineral identification and quantification: XRD, SEM-EDS, QEMSCAN, and optical microscopy 
• Strong understanding of REE mineral chemistry and associations with host rock or tailings matrices 
• Hands-on experience with mineral processing or separation techniques relevant to REEs 
• Ability to translate mineralogical data into process insights and actionable recommendations 
• Familiarity with sustainable or unconventional feedstocks (e.g., tailings, industrial waste) is a plus 
• Strong communication skills and the ability to operate in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment  Translate complex mineralogical insights into actionable technical guidance" 

This pay range reflects best estimate for the total cash compensation which includes salary + discretionary bonus for this role. Total package  may vary based on experience and qualifications.

• Healthcare: 100% Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee.
• Stock Options: Ownership in a fast-growing venture-backed company. 
• Time Off: Unlimited PTO. 
• Learning: Learning and development opportunities to grow your skills and career. 

At Phoenix Tailings, we have an open culture that values learning, and we are looking to grow the team with enthusiastic individuals who share our vision of sustainable mining.  

Phoenix Tailings, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity at all levels. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information, or any other applicable protected characteristics, and these characteristics will not be a factor for consideration of any work-related decisions (including but not limited to hiring, firing, compensation, and discipline). 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.