About PHNX Materials:

PHNX Materials refines coal ash waste into critical products. Our proprietary technology refines ash into a cement substitute (SCM), fertilizer, alumina and gallium. Our cost-effective, scalable technology delivers a triple win: helping utilities manage coal ash— a waste stream four times larger than plastic—providing concrete companies a cheaper, greener alternative to cement, and supplying industries with domestic sources of aluminum, rare-earth elements and titanium. Founded by Stanford and Tesla alumni, PHNX is on a mission to mine this abundant domestic natural resource.

Position overview:

Seeking a Hydrometallurgy engineer to develop and validate lab-scale processes for recovering critical REEs from coal ash. Responsibilities include leaching experiments, purification and impurity control, and using analytical methods (ICP-OES/MS, XRD, SEM) to assess yields and purity. Must have hands-on experience in hydrometallurgy, with strong skills in designing experiments and troubleshooting processes. Required prior experience with rare earth recovery. Bonus expertise with solvent extraction, or coal ash valorization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, conduct, and optimize hydrometallurgical processes for recovering rare earth elements (REEs) from coal ash.

• Define path to scale lab-scale process into bench and pilot scale operations

• Perform leaching experiments, including selection of leachants, control of parameters, and yield optimization.

• Develop and implement purification and impurity control strategies to achieve high-purity REE products.

• Operate and maintain analytical instruments such as ICP-OES/MS, XRD, and SEM to evaluate recovery efficiency, yields, and product quality.

• Analyze experimental data to identify trends, troubleshoot process issues, and recommend improvements.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate findings into pilot operations.

• Apply knowledge of solvent extraction and separation chemistry where applicable.

• Follow laboratory safety protocols and maintain compliance with environmental and regulatory standards.
  

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in hydrometallurgy, specifically in extracting critical minerals from unconventional feedstocks

  Proven expertise in rare earth element recovery processes

• Proficiency with analytical tools such as ICP-OES/MS, XRD, and SEM

• Strong skills in experimental design, process troubleshooting, and data analysis

• Knowledge of solvent extraction and coal ash valorization is a plus

What We Offer:

• A rare opportunity to design and launch a facility that takes on some of the world’s toughest environmental challenges.

• A fast-paced, mission-driven startup culture where your ideas matter, your work has immediate impact, and your career can grow as quickly as we do.

• The chance to transform heavy industries and be part of a movement rewriting the future of manufacturing and national security.

Note: We only accept U.S. nationals due to obligations around our funding.

PHNX Materials is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.