Geochemist

Leidos is seeking an exceptional and motivated recent (<5 years) post-graduate Geochemist interested in pursuing their passion and expanding their expertise by working side-by-side with world experts through a research appointment at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). In this role, you will work as part of DOE’s leading engineering R&D laboratory team supporting NETL to develop the science base, tools, and methods to accelerate the identification and characterization of feedstocks needed to build domestic supply chains for critical minerals in the United States. Specifically, you will work with NETL’s Critical Minerals geochemistry and materials team to characterize critical minerals from key feedstocks (e.g. coal ash, AMD solids, slag, shale, and other unconventional/secondary feedstocks) using geochemical analytical methods. In this role, you will engage with world-class critical minerals researchers including leading DOE scientists and external partners to develop world-changing energy solutions.

What this opportunity with Leidos supporting NETL uniquely provides you

• Working on applied, cutting-edge projects with global impact while being mentored by the nation’s leading energy scientists and engineers.
• Real-world experience supplemented with technical development and discussions that provide unique insight into the broad range of mission critical engineering and scientific disciplines NETL leverages to support national energy research and policy development.
• Unique access to world-class, customized facilities specific to high impact energy research, technology generation, and patent development.
• Participation in novel fundamental and applied energy technology development with direct economic impact on global carbon resources.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Performing hands-on geochemical characterization and analysis for critical mineral feedstocks.
• Identify and characterize critical minerals from key feedstocks (e.g. coal ash, AMD solids, slag, etc.).
• Utilize geologic domain knowledge to understand and evaluate data collection needs for ongoing projects.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary group of science researchers to accomplish project tasks.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external clients.
• Participate and present results in regular team meetings, contribute to progress reports and research proposals, and prepare scientific manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in relevant discipline (Geochemistry, Earth/Environmental Science, Mineralogy, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Geology, or a related discipline).
• Experience characterizing geologic materials using XRF, XRD, SEM, etc.
• Laboratory experience in studying mineral synthesis and characterization (e.g., iron, manganese, and/or aluminum oxides), geologic sample preparation methods, solid leaching, and extraction or digestion.
• Knowledge and experience with critical minerals and feedstocks.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team to solve problems of scientific and technological interest.
• Clear and effective communication, both in writing and in person.
• Ability to meet the requirements for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in Geochemistry, Earth/Environmental Science, Mineralogy, Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Geology or a related discipline.
• Advanced experience with portable and/or benchtop -µ-XRF.
• Experience with synchrotron characterization techniques specifically microprobe and bulk  X-Ray fluorescence, X-Ray Adsorption Spectroscopy and Extended X-ray Adsorption Fine Structure analysis.
• Synchrotron experience at an on-site beamline.
• Experience characterizing geologic samples with IC, UV-VIS, Titration, and Raman.
• Previous knowledge of critical mineral unconventional/secondary feedstocks.
• Industry experience related to critical mineral identification, prospecting, characterization, extraction, and recovery (e.g. mining, oil/gas, fracking, coal industry).
• Previous knowledge of sorbent synthesis and characterization (e.g., kinetics, sorption/desorption isotherms)
• Experience with data management software including Excel, Python, SQL, R, and/or other platforms.
• Experience in the handling of complex geochemical specimens, creating data reports with proper quality assurance/quality control, developing new instrumental methods based on sample matrices and analytes of interests, and conducting instrument maintenance with independent problem diagnosing and solving abilities.
• Proven track record of publications and presentations related to research on geologic/mineral systems and/or related field.
• Experience managing time effectively; experience developing and meeting project milestones with little oversight.

Salary Range for this position: $90K to $95K

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

November 20, 2025

Pay Range:

Pay Range $67,600.00 - $122,200.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.