About the Role
The Principal Specialist, International Research & Development Scientist plays a crucial role in expanding access to global innovation, emerging technologies, and strategic research capabilities that drive sustainable growth, operational excellence, and long-term competitiveness. This role connects with leading research institutions, technology developers, startups, mining organizations, and innovation ecosystems to identify opportunities that create measurable value across the business. By strengthening the innovation pipeline, the role converts external research and technological advancements into scalable solutions, improving resource recovery, exploration performance, process efficiency, environmental outcomes, and productivity. Through strategic partnerships and technology deployment, it enables faster adoption of innovations that support enterprise priorities and future growth. Building a globally connected innovation network and advancing technology commercialization opportunities enhances the organization's position as a leading mining and minerals entity with access to world-class research, emerging technologies, and strategic development partnerships.
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What You Will Deliver
Global Innovation Partnerships
- Build and sustain strategic relationships with leading international universities, research institutes, technology providers, startups, and mining innovation organizations.
- Establish collaboration frameworks that accelerate technology development, validation, commercialization, and deployment.
- Expand participation and influence within global innovation ecosystems, industry forums, and strategic research networks.
Technology Scouting & Market Intelligence
- Develop and maintain a prioritized pipeline of emerging technologies aligned with sustainability, resource growth, and operational excellence objectives.
- Evaluate technology maturity, scalability, commercial viability, intellectual property considerations, and strategic fit.
- Deliver forward-looking intelligence on industry trends, disruptive technologies, competitive developments, and innovation opportunities.
Research, Development & Validation
- Advance technologies and innovative solutions that address strategic business and operational challenges.
- Lead pilot programs, feasibility studies, demonstrations, and validation initiatives to confirm technical and commercial value.
- Ensure research outcomes are scalable, practical, and capable of successful operational integration.
Technology Deployment & Value Realization
- Enable robust technical assessment processes across business units and operational stakeholders.
- Accelerate progression from concept evaluation to industrial deployment through structured testing and business case development.
- Improve technology adoption outcomes by aligning innovation initiatives with operational priorities and implementation readiness.
Strategic Collaboration & Portfolio Management
- Develop partnerships that support co-development, licensing opportunities, strategic alliances, and joint ventures.
- Maintain a prioritized innovation portfolio focused on value creation, implementation readiness, and strategic impact.
- Deliver portfolio insights and executive reporting that improve visibility of emerging opportunities, risks, and investment outcomes.
What Success Looks Like
- Strong international network of strategic innovation partners supporting long-term growth agendas.
- Increased pipeline of high-potential technologies aligned with sustainability, operational excellence, and resource growth objectives.
- Higher conversion of external innovation opportunities into successful pilots, demonstrations, and operating deployments.
- Improved visibility of emerging technologies, competitive developments, and strategic partnership opportunities.
- Measurable operational, environmental, and commercial value generated through technology adoption and innovation investments.
- Enhanced industry recognition as a globally connected innovation leader within the mining and minerals sector.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Geoscience, or a related discipline.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- PhD in a relevant technical discipline desirable.
Experience
- 10–15 years of experience in mining, mineral processing, technology development, innovation, strategic partnerships, or business development.
- Demonstrated experience collaborating with international universities, research institutions, technology companies, startups, or innovation ecosystems.
- Proven experience evaluating, developing, and advancing technologies from concept through commercialization or deployment.
- Strong international network within mining, sustainability, and technology innovation sectors is highly desirable.
Skills That Matter
Functional Expertise
- Technology Scouting & Due Diligence
- Mining Innovation & Technology Commercialization
- Research Program Design & Experimental Validation
- Strategic Technology Assessment
Business & Delivery
- Business Case Development
- Strategic Thinking & Opportunity Prioritization
- Value Realization & Commercial Assessment
- Technology Deployment & Adoption
People & Collaboration
- Global Partnership Development
- Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Open Innovation Management
