Environmental Geochemist 3-6 month FTC at ERM in Brisbane

Job description

Job Summary ERM is seeking an Environmental Geochemist on a 3-6 month FTC to join our team and support the delivery of complex mining, mine closure and environmental projects across Australia and internationally. This role will have a particular focus on predictive geochemical modelling, geochemical characterisation, mine water chemistry, acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) and assessment of mine waste materials. The ideal candidate will combine a strong understanding of aqueous and environmental geochemistry with practical experience developing and interpreting geochemical models using software such as PHREEQC, Geochemist’s Workbench (GWB) or equivalent platforms. You will work alongside ERM’s geochemists, hydrogeologists, water specialists, mine closure practitioners and other technical specialists to understand complex geochemical systems and translate modelling outcomes into practical advice for our clients. Why This Role Matters Applying Geochemistry to Some of Mining’s Most Complex Environmental Challenges Understanding how mine wastes, water and geological materials will behave over decades and potentially centuries is fundamental to responsible mine development and closure. Geochemical modelling provides a critical link between laboratory and field observations and predictions of long-term environmental performance. ERM supports mining companies across Australia and internationally to understand and manage these challenges. From predicting mine water quality and assessing AMD risks to designing waste management strategies and informing closure planning, environmental assessments and residual risk evaluations, our geochemistry work helps clients make better decisions throughout the mining lifecycle. In this role, you will apply your geochemical expertise to technically challenging projects and work with multidisciplinary teams to turn complex geochemical processes into defensible predictions and practical management strategies. What Your Impact Is You will help strengthen ERM’s environmental geochemistry and predictive modelling capability while delivering high-quality technical work for major mining and resource projects. You will work closely with specialists across geochemistry, hydrogeology, surface water, mine waste and mine closure to develop robust conceptual and numerical representations of geochemical systems. Your work will help clients understand environmental risks, evaluate management and closure options, and make better-informed decisions about the long-term performance of mining operations and rehabilitated landscapes. Key Responsibilities Develop and apply predictive geochemical models for mining and environmental applications using PHREEQC, Geochemist’s Workbench or equivalent geochemical modelling software. Develop geochemical conceptual models to represent interactions between water, minerals, mine wastes and geological materials. Undertake aqueous speciation, mineral saturation, equilibrium and kinetic reaction modelling. Predict mine water and seepage chemistry associated with waste rock dumps, tailings storage facilities, pits, underground workings and other mine infrastructure. Assess acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD), including acid generation, neutralisation, metal and metalloid mobilisation and attenuation processes. Interpret static and kinetic geochemical testwork, including acid-base accounting, net acid generation testing, elemental and mineralogical data, leach testing and humidity cell or column test results. Use laboratory, field and monitoring data to calibrate, validate and refine predictive geochemical models. Integrate geochemical predictions with water balance, hydrogeological and surface water assessments where required. Support geochemical characterisation programs and development of sampling and analytical strategies for waste rock, tailings, soils, sediments and water. Undertake geochemical assessments to support mine planning, waste management, environmental impact assess