The Role
Lead electrochemical R&D to develop and scale processes for critical metals recovery. Design and run electrochemical experiments, optimize cells, electrolytes, and electrodes, analyze performance with electroanalytical techniques, characterize materials, identify failure modes, and translate data into process improvements for scalable, energy-efficient production.
Summary Generated by Built In
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—unlocking the materials required for aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing while eliminating waste and emissions from mining.
Why Phoenix Tailings
At Phoenix, we believe nothing great is ever accomplished alone—or without the passion of people who push and motivate one another. You’ll be joining a team building the foundational infrastructure for the modern world, developing entirely new ways to produce rare earth and critical metals domestically, cleanly, and at scale.
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 Senior R&D Electrochemist to develop and advance electrochemical systems that enable cleaner, more efficient production of critical metals. This role will help drive the core science behind Phoenix Tailings’ clean metals platform by designing experiments, improving electrochemical performance, and translating lab-scale results into scalable process improvements. You will play a direct role in building the technology needed to produce the critical materials that power the future.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and execute electrochemical experiments to improve recovery, refining, and production of critical metals and rare earth elements.
- Develop and optimize electrochemical processes, including cell design, electrolyte composition, electrode materials, current efficiency, voltage efficiency, and product quality.
- Evaluate electrochemical performance under process-relevant conditions, including kinetics, mass transport, selectivity, stability, and degradation behavior.
- Use electroanalytical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, linear sweep voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and related methods to guide process development.
- Characterize electrodes, electrolytes, intermediates, and final products using analytical tools that support process understanding and performance improvement.
- Build structure-performance and process-performance relationships that connect operating conditions to yield, purity, energy consumption, and scalability.
- Identify failure modes in electrochemical systems and develop practical solutions to improve reliability, efficiency, and long-term operation.
- Convert experimental data into clear technical recommendations that advance Phoenix Tailings’ clean metals production technology.
Qualifications:
- PhD in Electrochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or a related field.
- 2–3+ years of experience in electrochemical R&D, electrochemical process development, electrowinning, electrorefining, electrodeposition, batteries, fuel cells, corrosion, or related applied electrochemistry.
- Hands-on experience designing, building, operating, and troubleshooting electrochemical cells or electrochemical test systems.
- Strong understanding of electrochemical kinetics, thermodynamics, mass transport, electrode interfaces, electrolyte behavior, and electrochemical characterization.
- Experience developing or optimizing electrochemical systems with attention to current efficiency, energy efficiency, product purity, stability, and scalability.
- Proficiency with electrochemical testing equipment, potentiostats/galvanostats, data acquisition systems, and electrochemical analysis methods.
- Ability to design rigorous experiments, interpret complex electrochemical data, and translate results into actionable process improvements.
- Experience working safely with chemical systems, electrolytes, electrodes, metals, and laboratory-scale electrochemical equipment.
We offer a competitive compensation package that is based on expertise. We also offer the following benefits:
- 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.
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.
Pay Range: $130,000- $170,000 total cash compensation plus equity
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).
Skills Required
- PhD in Electrochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgical Engineering, or related field
- 2-3+ years of experience in electrochemical R&D, electrochemical process development, electrowinning, electrorefining, electrodeposition, batteries, fuel cells, corrosion, or related applied electrochemistry
- Hands-on experience designing, building, operating, and troubleshooting electrochemical cells or electrochemical test systems
- Strong understanding of electrochemical kinetics, thermodynamics, mass transport, electrode interfaces, electrolyte behavior, and electrochemical characterization
- Experience developing or optimizing electrochemical systems with attention to current efficiency, energy efficiency, product purity, stability, and scalability
- Proficiency with electrochemical testing equipment, potentiostats/galvanostats, data acquisition systems, and electrochemical analysis methods
- Ability to design rigorous experiments, interpret complex electrochemical data, and translate results into actionable process improvements
- Experience working safely with chemical systems, electrolytes, electrodes, metals, and laboratory-scale electrochemical equipment
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The Company
What We Do
Phoenix Tailings is a rare earth metals production company dedicated to restoring U.S. industrial independence by building domestic refining capacity. The company aims to redefine the industry as the first fully clean mining and metals producer, using sustainable, net-zero technology to transform mining waste (tailings) into critical rare earth metals and alloys essential for modern technology, defense, and green energy infrastructure.
