Specialist - Chemist

Specialist - Chemist

• Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion
• Join a leading global company
• Permanent full-time opportunity - Bell Bay, Tasmania

About the role

Finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs.

We are looking for a Specialist - Chemist to plan and execute analytical development, improvement of routine analysis techniques and evaluations. This is an analytical role working across multiple labs within the Smelter.

This is a great opportunity for a technical and analytical individual to provide technical input to production support.

We are an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most exciting equipment and tools on the planet. We are the world leader in automation and smart mining.

We have technical development programmes that are industry-leading and recognise the unique nature of your role. These provide opportunities to grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills.

Reporting to the Metal Products Superintendent Technical, with a dotted line of accountability to the Superintendent Environment & Analytical, and working in a challenging and exciting environment within the Casting Technical Department as well as the Main Site Analytical Laboratory, you will:

• Review, evaluate and commission new technologies and instrumentation and scope, plan and execute analytical development projects.
• Provide theoretical chemistry, mineralogical and analytical advice and solutions and conduct project presentations to highlight potential impact and educate stakeholders.
• Keep abreast with new instrumentation, analysis techniques and developments in data processing and interpretation.
• Comprehensive report writing on techniques, improvements, methods, results, statistics and highlight implications and impact of results.
• Resolve instrumental, chemical, and physical methodology and technique problems and establish and evaluate test programs.
• Conduct investigations, perform analyses and draw conclusions based on statistical evaluations.
• Evaluate equipment and conduct risk assessments on techniques and ensure equipment availability, software productivity and cost effectiveness.
• Conduct training, mentoring and coaching across the two Lab teams.
• Responsible maintaining the two Lab's NATA accreditation and facilitate external audits and corrective actions.
• Provide pathways to resolve technical issues with environmental monitoring equipment and reduce the likelihood of non-conformances.

What you'll bring

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• Degree in Analytical Chemistry or Chemistry
• Previous experience in a Mining/Metallurgical Lab with experience in operating OES, XRD and XRF instrumentation will be advantageous.
• Clear communication and strong problem solving and analytical skills
• Influencing skills - ability to persuade a team or peers to move in a desired direction, build relationships, and negotiate effectively
• Computer Literacy: MS Office, SAP, MetPro, MetLink
• Structured working approach and a strong problem solver

What we offer

• A safety-focused and inclusive working environment
• A competitive salary package with annual cash incentive awards (STIP)
• Access to top tier family-friendly health and medical programs
• Excellent retirement plan
• A comprehensive leave policy that covers all moments that matter in life (vacation/annual, paid parental leave, short term sick leave, paid holidays)
• Ongoing individual wellbeing support for you and your family for personal and professional matters
• Generous Rio Tinto employee share program

About Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs - striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can't do it on our own, so we're focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win and meet opportunities.

Where you'll be working

Bell Bay Aluminium holds a unique place in Tasmanian and Australian history as the first aluminium smelter in the southern hemisphere when it began production in 1955. Today, it produces around 190,000 of primary aluminium each year.

The smelter is situated on the Tamar River, approximately five kilometres from George Town and 45 kilometres from Launceston. We employ more than 500 Tasmanians and more than 60 full-time equivalent contractors who, on a typical day, undertake work at the smelter.

For more than 65 years Bell Bay Aluminium has played a significant role in the social and economic wellbeing of George Town and Northern Tasmania through employment, community investment, and using local goods and services. In 2019, the site also received Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certifications, assuring customers the aluminium they purchase has been produced to the highest environmental, social and governance standards.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome - they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

Applications close on 1st February 2024 (Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)