Scientist | Gladstone
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Exciting opportunity to lead impactful research and development projects that transform complex challenges into practical business solutions
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Permanent, full-time opportunity which includes attractive salary, annual incentives and a range of additional benefits designed to make your life better
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Join a team where science, innovation and data-driven insights deliver safer, smarter, and more productive operations
We’re Finding Better Ways™ to provide materials the world needs, now and in the future. Our values – care, courage and curiosity – guide how we work and how we treat each other.
About the role
We are looking for a motivated Scientist who can utilise their laboratory based experimental and data interpretation skills to further the knowledge within aluminium minerals processing and support our internal and external customers.
This is an opportunity to use your expertise in research and development processes and practical laboratory techniques, whilst helping to maintain and grow our R&D laboratory facility and functions. It is also an opportunity to work with a broad range of skilled individuals from technical and trades, to commercial and business.
You will be working within the Rio Tinto Aluminium, Technical Development teams laboratory group, the Queensland Research and Development Centre (QRDC). The role is part of the experimental function contributing to the development of both step-change and creep technology improvements to our Pacific Operation sites. The role also supports the growth of our bauxite export business via global customer technical support in both experimental and analytical techniques.
What you’ll be doing
Reporting to the QRDC Superintendent and working in a collaborative community, you will be:
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Actively supporting Rio Tinto’s Health, Safety and Environmental standards, consistently modelling the appropriate safety and cultural behaviours
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Working with subject matter experts, and site technical stakeholders to define issues affecting the business, and review and prioritise hypotheses for laboratory investigation
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Designing and conducting laboratory investigations and field trials for strategic projects and short-term technical support
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Reviewing and interpreting relevant test work and plant data
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Communicating outcomes and recommendations to relevant internal and external stakeholders
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Developing, operating, and maintaining analytical and process simulation instrumentation
About you
The successful candidate will have the following:
Essential:
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Tertiary qualification in Science or Chemistry or related discipline
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Solid foundation in and demonstration of safe laboratory operations
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A background in R&D laboratory processes, and use/maintenance of laboratory equipment and analytical instrumentation
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and develop practical recommendations
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Skills in experimental design, conducting experiments, data analysis, and interpretation plus reporting/presenting.
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The ability to work both independently and within a team to achieve project goals.
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Effective communication and time management skills, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and build strong working relationships
Desirable:
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Experience in bauxite and/or alumina/Bayer laboratory
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Post-graduate qualifications in science or related discipline
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Experience with ion chromatography and pressure vessels
What we offer
Be recognised for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress.
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A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
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A permanent position working directly for Rio Tinto
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A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
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Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family
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Attractive share ownership plan
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Company provided insurance cover
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Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
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Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
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Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
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Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick & cultural leave)
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Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
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Possible domestic relocation assistance
Where you’ll be working
Located in Central Queensland, approximately 10km north-west of Gladstone, Yarwun alumina refinery commenced operations in 2004. Processing bauxite from our mines in Weipa and Gove, Yarwun produces more than three million tonnes of smelter grade alumina annually.
As one of the largest industries in the Gladstone region, Yarwun employs over 700 people and has a large contractor workforce. With a focus on safely improving our process every day, the team at Yarwun challenge themselves to use existing and emerging technology to support our 24-hour operation.
Yarwun is a proud member of the Gladstone community, and along with Boyne Smelters Limited and Queensland Alumina Limited, support community investments that improve the liveability of the Gladstone region through the Here for Gladstone community fund.
#gts
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 situations and meet opportunities.
Respect and Inclusion
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTQ+ 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.
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Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminum, 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.
At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQ+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities, and people from different cultural backgrounds.
We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable being 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 who we are.
Start your application
Take your leadership career to the next level.
Where can Rio Tinto take you?
You’re passionate and ambitious with tremendous career aspirations. The breadth and growth of our organisation empowers you to define your ideal career path.
Take a look at Katie’s career journey
- 2022 - PresentManager Projects - Energy DevelopmentBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2021Superintendent Operations CentreBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
- 2020Development / Drill and Blast SuperintendentPilbara, Western Australia
- 2019Deputy Quarry ManagerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2018Development SupervisorPilbara, Western Australia
- 2017Senior Engineer of Drill, Blast and SurveyPilbara, Western Australia
- 2016Production EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2015Mine scheduler - 2 week plannerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2014Drill and Blast EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
- 2012Graduate Mining EngineerPilbara, Western Australia
Working at Rio Tinto
Help us deliver the materials that make human progress possible.
The plane you’re flying in just landed. You fire up your phone and get your laptop out of the overhead bin. Immediately, you’re in work mode – thousands of miles from your office. Do you ever stop to think about all the materials that make life in the 21st century possible? At Rio Tinto, we discover, develop and deliver the materials that drive human progress. When you work with us, you’ll experience advantages you won’t find anywhere else.
Our application process
01
Apply
The first thing you’ll need to do is apply to the role. You can do this with your LinkedIn profile or you can upload your resume. We’ll also ask you to complete a few questions before you submit your application.
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Undergo assessments
Our assessments are designed to help us work out whether you are suitable for the role. We will let you know which ones you’ll need to complete.
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Interview(s)
Our interviews could be in person or online. It’s a great opportunity for us to get to know you a bit better, answer any of your questions and talk about the exciting career opportunity you have applied for.
04
Offers and checks
At this stage, we will let you know if you have been successful. If you have been, we’ll need to conduct a couple of checks, such as a background or security check. You may also need to do a medical assessment depending on the role you have applied for.
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Join the Rio Tinto team
Once the checks have been completed, we’ll be in touch to talk with you about your start date and answer any questions you may have before you start with us.