Senior Plant Chemist

This is a rare opportunity to spend up to 18 months in Auckland, New Zealand, before relocating to the West Midlands, UK. Ideal for an experienced professional seeking international exposure, this role offers the chance to apply your expertise in a new market, build cross-cultural leadership skills, and gain global best-practice experience while enjoying a unique personal adventure.

About the Project

Mint Innovation is embarking on an exciting new chapter, leading a landmark collaborative R&D project co-funded by the UK Department for Business and Trade through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC). In partnership with JLR, LiBatt Recycling, and WMG at the University of Warwick, Mint is developing a sustainable, onshore circular battery supply chain for electric vehicles.

As part of this initiative, Mint is designing, building, and operating a demonstration-scale, low-carbon hydrometallurgical facility to refine black mass recovered from lithium-ion batteries. The role will be supporting a demonstration scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility that processes black mass into refined metal salt outputs, giving successful candidates the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge innovation with lasting impact.

The Senior Plant Chemist will:

• Lead and mentor a skilled analytical chemistry team.
• Set up and manage an on-site laboratory to support plant operations.
• Develop and implement sampling and analytical protocols.
• Perform and oversee analysis using MP-AES, ICP-OES/MS, UV/vis, XRD, and TGA.
• Optimise process stages including extraction, precipitation, and crystallisation.
• Collaborate with engineers and operators to troubleshoot plant challenges and drive continuous improvement.

The Senior Plant Chemist will have:

• MSc or PhD in Chemistry, Metallurgy, or related field.
• 4+ years' experience in a commercial analytical or chemical laboratory.
• Strong knowledge of inorganic analytical chemistry and method optimisation.
• Hands-on experience with MP-AES, ICP-OES, UV/vis, TGA, and XRD.
• Proven experience in method validation, compliance, and instrumentation.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and team leadership skills.

Ready to take your career global and make an impact in sustainable technology? If you're a hands-on, innovative chemist looking to lead a team and drive real-world change, we want to hear from you.
Apply today to join an exciting, forward-thinking company on this journey.