In the materials sciences field, there are a range of different metallurgist jobs that are available to qualified candidates. A metallurgist is a specialist in mining and typically has a degree in mining, materials sciences, or materials engineering. The primary metallurgist jobs include project management, consulting, technical manager, and research. The mining industry is huge, with opportunities available around the world for qualified, experienced candidates.
There are two core requirements to qualify for different metallurgist jobs: education and experience. All metallurgists must have successfully completed a post-secondary training program from an accredited university or college. This is not a field where candidates can learn the required skills on the job. In addition to a formal education, a minimum of five years of experience working in mining or materials engineering. Most people specialize early on in their career, focusing on either the traditional mining industry or the field of materials engineering.
Mining is a growth industry, with an increasing number of different metallurgist jobs available. A mining industry project manager works at the mine, coordinating mining activities, ensuring the operations run smoothly and provide a consistent, quality output. These positions are well compensated, but are usually located in remote locations, far from major cities or development.
After a minimum of ten years' experience, many metallurgists become professional consultants. Working directly for a large mining company or an independent consulting firm, these experts travel the world providing expert advice on process engineering, costing and mine management. The level of compensation varies greatly in this job and is typically related to work experience and area of expertise.
For people who enjoy working directly in the mining industry, a technical manager job can be an ideal position. Posted directly in the mining operations, this role is very similar to a site manager. He or she is responsible for coordinating operations, staffing, management of the site itself, selecting the extraction process, and resolving operational issues.
Research positions are typically found in universities or within large mining corporations. Of all the metallurgist jobs, this one is the most removed from daily mining operations. Research in metallurgy can focus on extraction techniques, dealing with the waste materials, environmental impact of mining operations, economic viability, and social responsibility issues. Advanced degrees in materials science or materials engineering is required, along with at least three years of experience in the field. The mining industry has made huge changes in the past 100 years and will need to continually explore new methods and processes to meet the challenges of the next 100 years.