Principal Specialist International Research & Development Scientist

About the Role

Ma'aden is seeking a Principal Specialist, International Research & Development Scientist, to join its team in Thuwal. This full-time role focuses on expanding Ma’aden's access to global innovation, emerging technologies, and strategic research capabilities. The position aims to accelerate sustainable growth, operational excellence, and long-term competitiveness by connecting Ma’aden with leading research institutions, technology developers, startups, mining organizations, and innovation ecosystems.

Role Purpose and Impact

The Principal Specialist strengthens Ma’aden’s innovation pipeline by converting external research and technological advancements into scalable solutions. This includes improving resource recovery, exploration performance, process efficiency, environmental outcomes, and productivity. Through strategic partnerships and technology deployment, the role enables faster adoption of innovations that support enterprise priorities and future growth, enhancing Ma’aden’s position as a leading mining and minerals organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and sustain strategic relationships with international universities, research institutes, technology providers, startups, and mining innovation organizations.
• Establish collaboration frameworks to accelerate technology development, validation, commercialization, and deployment.
• Expand Ma’aden’s participation and influence within global innovation ecosystems, industry forums, and strategic research networks.
• 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.
• Advance technologies and innovative solutions addressing strategic business and operational challenges.
• Lead pilot programs, feasibility studies, demonstrations, and validation initiatives to confirm technical and commercial value.
• 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.
• Develop partnerships supporting co-development, licensing opportunities, strategic alliances, and joint ventures.
• Maintain a prioritized innovation portfolio focused on value creation, implementation readiness, and strategic impact.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in international research and development.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage strategic innovation partnerships.
• Experience in technology scouting, market intelligence, and evaluating emerging technologies.
• Proven track record in leading research, development, and validation initiatives.
• Capability to drive technology deployment and value realization within an industrial context.
• Experience in strategic collaboration and portfolio management.

Measures of Success

• Establishment of a strong international network of strategic innovation partners supporting Ma’aden’s long-term growth agenda.
• 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 of Ma’aden as a globally connected innovation leader within the mining and minerals sector.

Application Information

This is a full-time position. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.