Lead Metallurgist

Belgium - Olen

Research & Development

Posted on 15-10-2025

About Umicore 

Powering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.  

About Corporate Research & Development  (CRD)

Driving progress through research. Providing material solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges and anticipating the needs of our customers requires a high level of investment in research. Umicore’s Group Research capabilities focus on new materials and processes to address the megatrends of resource scarcity and clean mobility. The nature of research and development means that we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in. 

What you will be doing 

The Lead Metallurgist is a recognized domain expert within a core metallurgical system of Umicore with broad and deep knowledge and expertise, contributing to high-impact and complex projects in different programs, influencing project and program managers in different departments and sharing knowledge and expertise within Umicore. The Lead Metallurgist combines knowledge about a wide span of technologies, including Pyro- and Hydrometallurgy and manages the complex interface between Senior Program Managers and (Senior) Scientists to make sure that the current and future Recycling & Refining flowsheets are the most adequate combination of state-of-the-art unit operations. He/she recruits, onboards, mentors and develops next-generation high-profile metallurgists for Umicore.

More detailed responsibilities:

• As a recognized metallurgical domain expert within Umicore, he/she contributes to high-impact and complex projects in different programs, based on broad and deep knowledge and expertise.
• Influence project and program managers in different departments.
• Influence Principal Scientists and Fellows in CRD.
• He / she will lead a team of 10 – 20 people functionally and 5-10 (associate / senior / principal) hierarchically.
•  Recruitment and mentoring high-profile technical talent to perform in research projects in CRD and be the next-generation metallurgists in Umicore.
• Innovate and generate ideas for new flowsheets or combinations based on acquired expertise and competencies.
• Inspire and influence scientific and technological foresight in the relevant technological domains to guarantee long-term competence development.
• Grow internal and external network within the core metallurgical domain of Umicore. This network includes mainly competitors and peers, but also RTOs, technology providers and academic institutes.
• Analyse and define long-term funding strategy, including competitor activities, in collaboration with the External Science and Technology department.

Who we are looking for 

• PhD in Sciences or Engineering, or equivalent through relevant research experience
• More than 20 years of relevant research experience (including PhD years, if in relevant domain).
• Recognized expert in a core metallurgical system of Umicore to offer at all times the most appropriate support in speeding up innovation at CRD.
• Proven broad and deep insight in relevant technical and business field.
• Deep understanding of IP mechanics, funding, R&D contracting and confidentiality matters.
• Languages: English and willingness to learn Dutch. French, German, Korean or Chinese are a clear asset.
• Good and proven internal & external networking skills and business acumen.
• Customer intimacy skills to understand business unit strategy and priorities.
• Leadership skills to mentor and develop a team of high-profile scientists.

What we offer 

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do? 

If my pioneering research can enhance our recycling technology, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO?