Senior Chemist - Geochemistry / Mineral Laboratory

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. We are recognised as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 96,000 employees, we operate a network of more than 2,700 offices and laboratories around the world.

The Senior Chemist will lead technical activities within the Geochemistry Laboratory, ensuring reliable analytical results, compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and efficient laboratory operations. The role also supports laboratory accreditation and deputises for the Laboratory Manager or Assistant Laboratory Manager when required.

Technical Leadership and Laboratory Operations

• Lead and coordinate daily analytical activities within the Geochemistry Laboratory, ensuring compliance with approved methods, procedures and applicable standards.
• Lead the development, validation, verification and implementation of analytical methods.
• Review analytical data, investigate non-conforming results and coordinate appropriate corrective actions.
• Oversee the performance, calibration, maintenance and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.
• Maintain the integrity of LIMS and support improvements to laboratory systems and workflows.
• Coordinate proficiency testing, inter-laboratory comparisons and quality-control programmes.
• Monitor laboratory consumables, certified reference materials (CRMs), reagents and inventory requirements.

Quality Management and Accreditation

• Lead and support the establishment, achievement and maintenance of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
• Ensure laboratory activities comply with quality management system requirements and applicable technical standards.
• Coordinate accreditation assessments, internal and external audits, corrective actions and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Ensure technical documentation, analytical records and quality-control data are accurate, complete and properly maintained.

Team Leadership and Development

• Train, coach and assess the technical competency of Chemists and other laboratory personnel.
• Provide technical guidance on analytical methods, quality issues, equipment performance and laboratory procedures.
• Promote a culture of quality, safety, accountability and continuous improvement.

Deputy Laboratory Management

• When delegated to deputise for laboratory management:
• Oversee daily operations, production planning, staffing and workload allocation.
• Monitor production targets, turnaround times and operational KPIs.
• Coordinate customer inquiries and represent the laboratory in meetings as required.
• Approve technical documentation within delegated authority and address operational issues, escalating significant risks to management.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Geochemistry or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of laboratory experience, including at least 3 years in a senior or supervisory position.
• Relevant experience in a geochemistry, mineral testing or analytical laboratory.
• Strong technical knowledge of ICP-OES, ICP-MS, Fire Assay and laboratory analytical methods.
• Good understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and laboratory quality management systems.

Required Skills

• Strong technical leadership, decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and spoken English, including technical report writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Commitment to SGS standards of health and safety, integrity and professional conduct.

Interested in joining SGS?

If you have extensive analytical laboratory experience, strong expertise in geochemistry and laboratory quality systems, and the leadership capability to support laboratory operations and accreditation, we invite you to apply.