Principal Scientist- Mining

Job Description

Job Description

Who are we:

Locus Fermentation Solutions is a USA-based company delivering bio-enhanced specialty chemicals at industrial scale. Through precision fermentation and integrated chemistry, we produce glycolipid biosurfactants designed to improve performance across oil and gas, mining, agriculture, and industrial applications. Our biomanufacturing platform connects strain selection, fermentation, and formulation design to create functional molecules that behave predictably in real-world systems—bridging the gap between biology and performance chemistry.

What you’ll be doing:

We are hiring a highly experienced Principal Scientist to shape scientific strategy and deliver high-impact research results across our R&D portfolio. In this role, you will independently lead complex research programs, develop advanced experimental strategies, and translate scientific insights into product and process specifications that guide scale-up and commercialization. You will leverage deep subject-matter expertise to develop innovative solutions, contribute to patents and publications, and serve as a recognized technical authority within the organization.

As a Principal Scientist, you will also mentor scientific and technical staff, collaborate with cross-functional partners, and represent the company in external scientific communities. You will play a critical role in strengthening scientific excellence, driving safety and data-integrity standards, and supporting key decisions related to product development, technology investment, and organizational capability. This is an ideal role for an accomplished scientist seeking to make a significant enterprise-level impact.

The primary focus of this role will be the development of specialty chemical reagents that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of mining operations, particularly in flotation and leaching applications.

Location: The Woodlands, TX (onsite).

Essential Job Functions Related to Mining:

• Lead and support the development, formulation, and testing of new chemical products (collectors, frothers, depressants, modifiers, leaching agents, etc.) tailored for specific mineral extraction challenges.
• Conduct laboratory-scale experiments, including flotation tests, leaching studies, and reagent performance evaluations on various ore types.
• Perform on-site trials and plant support activities to validate laboratory results and optimize reagent application in real-world mining environments.
• Analyze metallurgical data (recovery rates, grade, kinetics, reagent consumption, etc.) using statistical tools and prepare technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Stay current with advancements in mineral processing chemistry, sustainable extraction technologies, and environmental regulations affecting reagent use.
• Work cross-functionally with sales, production, and quality teams to support product commercialization and customer technical service.
• Strong technical background in surface chemistry, colloid science, or hydrometallurgy as applied to mineral extraction.
• Proven ability to design experiments, interpret complex data, and draw actionable conclusions.
• Familiarity with reagent chemistry, formulation stability, and interactions with different ore mineralogy.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to both scientific and operational audiences.
• Ability to work independently in a laboratory setting and collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel to mine sites for trials and technical support (estimated 20–30%).

Key Responsibilities of a Principal Scientist:

Research and Product Development (60%)

• Perform highly complex, non-routine, and specialized testing requiring expert-level skill.
• Define problem statements, technical strategies, and experimental roadmaps for high-value programs.
• Operate and troubleshoot analytical instrumentation; ensure data quality and reproducibility.
• Adhere to established lab practices for new product development, stability, and commercialization.
• Identify opportunities to improve testing workflows and reliability.
• Create SOPs and contribute feedback for improvements when needed.
• Integrate mechanistic insight, modeling, and empirical data to guide product/technology choices.
• Lead invention disclosures and contribute to patent strategy with IP counsel.
• Convert lab results to product and process specifications; guide scale-up/tech transfer.
• Anticipate risks and lead mitigation across functions (R&D, Quality, Operations, EHS).

Data Management and Communication (25%)

• Maintain accurate lab records- including lab notebooks, electronic files, and equipment logs- according to laboratory and organizational standards.
• Record test data, observations, and results clearly and promptly within project systems.
• Communicate advanced data insights, trends, and recommendations to scientists and leadership.
• Review and validate documentation from junior team members.
• Lead invention disclosures and contribute to patent strategy with IP counsel.
• Author clear technical reports, protocols, publications, and presentations.
• Represent the organization in external collaborations, consortia, and professional forums.

Safety & Compliance (5%)

• Model best practices in chemical hygiene and HSE; drive continuous improvement in safety culture.
• Follow chemical hygiene, PPE, and HSE requirements.
• Support audit readiness and good laboratory housekeeping.
• Ensure data traceability and support audit readiness.

Laboratory Leadership, Mentorship and Collaboration (10%)

• Provide informal leadership and technical support to junior team members.
• Lead training programs for equipment, documentation, and testing techniques.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the laboratory.
• Support lab organization, supply planning, and equipment readiness.
• Support data integrity and internal knowledge transfer among lab staff.
• Guide technical decisions across functions to progress project milestones.
• Communicate complex results and risks clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Support equipment readiness, calibration, and workflow efficiency.
• Support method refinement, experimental direction, data integrity and internal knowledge transfer among lab staff.
• Communicate complex concepts succinctly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Scope & Autonomy

• Enterprise-level impact on portfolio direction, methods, and technical risk reduction
• Operates with full independence; recognized internal and external authority.

Qualifications & Requirements

• MS Engineering, Chemistry, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing or related field required with 10+ years lab experience; or PhD with 5+ years lab experience
• Demonstrated scientific leadership and subject-matter expertise.
• Strong record of innovation and scientific contributions.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to guide cross-functional teams.
• Strong commitment to safety, documentation rigor, and data integrity.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 6-8 hours per shift)
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for fine motor tasks including pipetting, sample preparation, equipment operation, and data entry.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 25 pounds
• Visual acuity (near vision and color differentiation) to read instruments, labels, and test results.
• Ability to work with a computer and laboratory instrumentation for extended periods
• Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, and kneeling
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, lab coat, eye protection, face shield, and respirator where required.
• Ability to work in environments with chemicals, biological materials, odors, and varying noise levels.
• Capability to respond to alarms, equipment signals, and safety notification

Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily in a laboratory setting and may include exposure to chemicals, biological materials, and laboratory reagents.
• Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required in designated areas
• May involve work near laboratory instrumentation, moving mechanical parts, or production equipment
• Exposure to noise levels, odors, fumes, airborne particles, or vibrations typical of laboratory or manufacturing environments
• Temperature conditions may vary, including climate-controlled areas, refrigerated environments, or proximity to heat-generating equipment
• Work may involve handling hazardous materials in accordance with established safety procedures and regulatory standards
• Requires strict adherence to company safety policies, quality systems, and standard operating procedures including chemical hygiene procedures and laboratory housekeeping practices.
• Frequent interaction with team members across quality, production, engineering, and administrative functions
• Work is primarily performed on-site; remote work is not applicable
• Occasional travel.

What’s in it for you:

• Competitive Salary
• Medical/Dental/Vison Benefits
• 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Volunteer Hours
• Annual allowance of Floating Holidays
• Continuing Education Reimbursement Policy

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Locus Fermentation Solutions does not sponsor employment visas or provide immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles from third-party recruiters or agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our job postings, company email addresses, or any of our employees. We are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.