Cyclic Materials is building a resilient circular supply chain for rare earth elements and other critical materials. Through our fully integrated proprietary technology platform, we recover rare earths from end-of-life products and transform them into high-purity materials used to produce new permanent magnets. These magnets are critical to the modern economy, underpinning AI, automotive, e-mobility, electronics, semiconductor, energy, defense, and other advanced manufacturing sectors.

Founded in 2021, Cyclic Materials has rapidly become a category leader in rare earth recovery, achieving commercial operations in less than five years. We currently operate facilities in Ontario and Arizona, with further expansion underway in South Carolina. Backed by investment accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., alongside strategic investors including Microsoft, Amazon, Hitachi Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Jaguar Land Rover's InMotion fund, Energy Impact Partners, ArcTern Ventures, and Fifth Wall, we are scaling quickly and building the industrial backbone required to meet growing global demand for a secure and sustainable supply of rare earths.

We have established an extensive and growing network of commercial partnerships with global industry leaders such as Solvay, Vattenfall, Lime, and VACUUMSCHMELZE, enabling the rapid deployment of recycled rare earth materials into real-world supply chains. Joining Cyclic Materials means tackling complex and exciting challenges at scale alongside a team committed to strong execution and measurable impact. If you are motivated by building critical infrastructure and advancing the circular economy, join us and help accelerate the growth of rare earth recycling.

Position Overview

- The Research Metallurgist - Hydrometallurgy will design and execute research and process development programs that enhance the inhouse processing of rare earth elements and expand the technical capabilities.
- This role is ideal for a hands-on metallurgist who enjoys experimental design, laboratory and pilot-scale testing, data analysis, and translating results into practical improvements for commercial operations.

What You Will Be Doing

- Hydrometallurgical process development: Design, evaluate, and optimize metals recovery circuits including leaching, impurity removal, solid-liquid separation, precipitation/crystallization, solution purification, and reagent/water recycle.
- Research test programs: Develop bench-scale and pilot-scale test plans using sound experimental design, sampling plans, mass balances, and clear success criteria.
- Rare earth chemistry:



Study extraction, dissolution, selectivity, impurity behavior, phase chemistry, product specifications, and factors affecting recovery and purity for Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb, and related elements.
- Data analysis and metallurgical accounting: Analyze process parameters, yields, product quality, losses, bottlenecks, and variability; prepare technical reports, dashboards, and recommendations.
- Scale-up support: Translate lab results into pilot and plant operating guidance, including operating envelopes, process control strategies, troubleshooting plans, and SOP updates.
- Operational collaboration: Work with plant metallurgists, process engineers, operators, maintenance, environmental teams, and strategic partnerships to support projects, commissioning, optimization, and customer/product requirements.
- Technical communication: Present results and recommendations to internal stakeholders; document work in high-quality technical memos, reports, test procedures, and presentations.
- Safety and compliance: Plan and conduct laboratory and plant-facing work in alignment with safe work practices, chemical hygiene, waste management, PPE requirements, and environmental expectations.
- Team contribution: Support technicians, interns, and cross-functional project teams; contribute outside narrowly defined responsibilities in a fast-moving startup environment.
- Travel: Travel up to 30% for business purposes to support trials, commissioning, plant troubleshooting, vendor/customer meetings, conferences, and partner engagements.

What You Need to Succeed

- Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field; Master's or PhD preferred.
- 5+ years of hydrometallurgy, process development, mineral processing, chemical processing, or critical minerals recycling experience; rare earth experience strongly preferred.
- Strong understanding of hydrometallurgical unit operations such as leaching, precipitation, crystallization, filtration, thickening, clarification, impurity control, and solution purification.
- Experience designing test programs, operating laboratory or pilot equipment, interpreting analytical data,



and translating results into actionable process improvements.
- Working knowledge of analytical techniques and sample preparation such as ICP-OES/ICP-MS, XRF, titration, ion chromatography, pH/ORP/conductivity measurements, particle size, and moisture/solids analysis.
- Ability to perform mass balances, metallurgical accounting, recovery calculations, statistics, and structured data analysis
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex chemistry and process data to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrated commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, collaboration, respect, and service-minded execution.
- Ability to travel up to 30% for business purposes and to work effectively in office, laboratory, pilot plant, and industrial plant environments.

Preferred Qualifications

- Direct experience with rare earth element recycling, rare earth mineral processing, critical minerals hydrometallurgy, or magnet recycling.
- Experience supporting pilot plants, commissioning, process troubleshooting, or commercial plant optimization.
- Experience with DOE, process simulation, geochemical or aqueous chemistry modeling, or flowsheet development.

Why You Will Love Cyclic Materials

- At Cyclic Materials, we're dedicated to supporting our workforce on their unique career journey
- We offer a competitive compensation package including Health and Dental coverage, RRSP (Canada)/ 401K (USA) contributions and a generous paid time off program that lets you recharge
- We value diversity and are committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone is respected and recognized for their contributions

The base compensation offered is determined based on the successful candidate's relevant experience, skills, and competencies and considers internal equity.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Cyclic Materials is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals have an prospect to succeed. If you require accommodation at any stage of the interview process, please email [email protected]. Applicants for roles in Canada or the United States must be authorized to work in the applicable country without current or future sponsorship from Cyclic Materials, including for an H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN, L1-A visa, or any other non-immigrant status.

To all applicants, your interest and effort are sincerely appreciated. While we thank everyone for their application, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

📌 Research Metallurgist - Hydrometallurgy (Canada)
🏢 Cyclic Materials
📍 Canada