As a Principal Geochemist, you will provide technical leadership across a broad range of mining projects throughout the mine lifecycle while supporting the development of both clients and colleagues. Key responsibilities will include:

Leading the technical delivery of complex geochemistry studies across the mining lifecycle, including Scoping Studies, Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS), Feasibility Studies (FS), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), operational support and mine closure planning.
Providing senior technical direction for mine waste and tailings geochemical characterisation programmes, including sample selection and the design of static, kinetic, leach and mineralogical testing programmes.
Leading the interpretation of complex geochemical datasets and undertaking robust assessments of ARD/ML, salinity, constituent mobilisation and long-term water quality risks.
Developing practical geochemical management and mitigation strategies for waste rock, tailings, stockpiles, pit walls and other mine materials.
Developing and reviewing geochemical source terms and water quality predictions to support mine water management, groundwater studies, water balances, closure planning and permitting requirements.
Undertaking and overseeing advanced geochemical modelling using PHREEQC.
Providing specialist technical input to mine closure studies, including pit lakes, flooded mine workings, seepage quality assessments, mine water treatment requirements and post-closure monitoring programmes.
Integrating geochemistry with mine waste, tailings, hydrogeology, hydrology, mine water and closure engineering studies to deliver practical, risk-based recommendations.
Acting as a technical reviewer and quality assurance lead for geochemistry deliverables.
Leading technical investigations, field programmes, sampling campaigns and laboratory testing strategies where required.
Managing project scopes, programmes, budgets, resources, laboratories and subcontractors.
Supporting proposal development, project planning, client engagement and business development initiatives.
Building and maintaining strong client relationships and identifying opportunities to expand geochemistry services across existing and new projects.
Mentoring and developing Senior, Project and Graduate Geochemists.
Contributing to technical standards, methodologies, data management approaches and modelling capabilities across the team.
Supporting industry engagement activities, including technical papers, conference presentations and professional guidance documents.

We're looking for an experienced and highly regarded geochemist who combines technical excellence with commercial awareness, leadership skills and a collaborative approach.
A BSc or MSc in Geochemistry, Geology, Environmental Geoscience, Earth Sciences or a related discipline.
A relevant PhD, which would be advantageous but is not essential.
Considerable professional experience within mining, environmental consultancy or a closely related sector.
Extensive experience in mining geochemistry, including mine waste characterisation, ARD/ML assessments and long-term prediction of mine waste behaviour.
Advanced understanding of contaminant release mechanisms, constituent transport processes and the geochemical evolution of mine wastes.
Experience designing and managing hydrogeochemical sampling and laboratory testing programmes, including static, kinetic, leach and mineralogical testing.
Experience acting as a trusted technical advisor to clients and multidisciplinary project teams.
Significant experience developing geochemical source terms and predicting mine water quality under both operational and closure scenarios.
Demonstrable expertise in advanced geochemical modelling using PHREEQC and/or Geochemist's Workbench.
An understanding of how geochemistry integrates with hydrology, hydrogeology, mine water treatment, tailings engineering, mine waste management, mine planning and mine closure.
Experience delivering geochemical inputs to multidisciplinary studies, including PFS, FS, ESIA, permitting and closure projects.
The ability to independently lead complex technical workstreams and provide oversight on high-profile projects.
Excellent technical writing, report preparation and communication skills.
Experience mentoring, reviewing and developing junior and mid-level geochemists.
Strong commercial awareness with experience contributing to proposals, project planning and client relationship management.
Evidence of recognised technical expertise through publications, conference presentations, industry engagement or other professional activities.
Experience applying the UK/EU Waste Directive, with knowledge of Hazardous Waste Classification, Groundwater Directive requirements and Environmental Quality Standards considered advantageous.
Chartered status with a relevant professional institution, or a clear pathway towards achieving chartership.
A full UK driving licence.

Competitive salary.
Company pension scheme.
Private healthcare and wellbeing support.
Travel and life insurance.
Structured career development and progression opportunities.
Regular performance and career development reviews.
25 days annual leave plus flexible bank holidays.
Hybrid, agile and flexible working arrangements.
Family-friendly policies that support work-life balance.
Opportunities to work on internationally significant mining and mine closure projects.
Access to industry-leading specialists across a range of environmental, engineering and sustainability disciplines.

2 Slr Consulting Limited jobs in England & Wales