Job Requirements

Ucore is a TSX-listed company commercializing its patent-pending RapidSX™ rare earth element (REE) separation technology through the advancement of its first commercial REE processing and rare earth oxide (REO) production facility in Alexandria, Louisiana. This facility, the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex (SMC), is currently under development with engineering underway as of August 2026. Ucore also continues to enhance and demonstrate its technology at its RapidSX™ Commercialization and Demonstration Facility (CDF) in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

The company consists of a small team, with resources located globally and seeks to appoint a Laboratory Supervisor to join its team. This role will lead the implementation of corporate initiatives, as defined by the company. Regular travel within the USA and Canada will be required.

The Laboratory Supervisor, reporting to the Quality Manager, will work independently and with other plant personnel to assist in directing the operation of the facility. This role will ensure the safe, efficient and compliant operation of the plant while safely meeting production goals, minimizing downtime, and maintaining high-quality standards.

The Laboratory Supervisor for RapidSX rare earth elements refining solvent extraction provides daily oversight of lab operations, manages analytical testing for separation processes, and ensures safety compliance. Key responsibilities include providing leadership to chemist teams, optimizing solvent extraction parameters, maintaining equipment, and validating assay results for high-purity rare earth oxides.

Selected candidates will be involved with equipment installations, startup and the commissioning of manufacturing and facilities equipment. All tasks will be performed while supporting the policies, goals, and objectives of the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Team Leadership: Supervise daily laboratory work for rare earth solvent extraction and separation. Manage a team of chemists, technicians, and analytical staff.
2. Process Management: Monitor solvent extraction circuits, phase separation, and purity yields.
3. Safety & Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to environmental, health, and safety protocols.
4. Process Quality & Validation: Validate analytical data from ICP-MS, XRF, and titration assays.
5. Process Improvement: Troubleshoot chemical processing issues and optimize extraction efficiency.
6. Continuous Improvement: Lead/participate in root cause analysis of any processing issues including time to recovery.
7. Other: Other duties as assigned by management.

Essential Requirements

1. Bachelor's or advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Metallurgy.
2. Minimum 3-5 years of experience in hydrometallurgy or rare earth processing.
3. Hands-on knowledge of solvent extraction (SX) and ion exchange.
4. Strong leadership, communication, and data analysis skills.
5. Knowledge of safety standards for hazardous chemicals and radiation in processing.
6. Strong attention to detail and quality control. Meticulous adherence to procedures and protocols to ensure product quality and process safety.
7. Availability to rotate shifts to accommodate our 24/7 manufacturing operations.

Desired Requirements

1. Experience with solvent extraction of REE’s.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to respond to emergency callouts outside normal working hours.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods throughout a plant environment.
• Ability to climb stairs, platforms, and access elevated or restricted areas.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as needed for inspections.
• Ability to visually inspect equipment, systems, drawings, gauges, and work areas.
• Ability to hear alarms, equipment sounds, and communications in a noisy environment.
• Ability to work safely around machinery, dust, noise, vibration, and temperature extremes.
• Ability to wear required PPE and comply with all plant safety requirements.

FLSA Status: Exempt