Scientist I/II, Strain Engineering

About Alta

Alta Resource Technologies (Alta) is a next generation mining company that uses synthetic biology to separate critical minerals from conventional and unconventional resources, including e-waste. Founded in 2023, the company is expanding its team in Boulder, CO. The exponential growth of new tech industries, as well as the information technology sector, are driving historic growth in mineral demand and stressing existing supply streams. Meeting new demand, diversifying the supply chain, and producing minerals in a more sustainable manner requires the rapid development, deployment and scaling of new technologies. This mineral challenge represents a historic opportunity for technology development and value creation. Alta is proud to be at the vanguard of this mega trend. 

Scientist I/II, Strain Engineering

Location: Onsite in our lab in Boulder, CO

Reports To: Sr. Director of Applied Biology

About Us

Alta is reinventing how the world sources critical minerals - using protein-based chemistry to extract rare earth elements and other essential materials from challenging feedstocks with unmatched selectivity. By dramatically reducing the cost and environmental impact of mineral separation, Alta is making it possible to unlock new sources of supply for 21st-century technologies. As global demand accelerates, securing these materials has become one of the most urgent challenges facing U.S. competitiveness and national security. Backed by top investors and government partners, Alta is growing fast and hiring mission-driven scientists and engineers to help us scale our platform and transform the future of mining.

Role Summary

Alta is seeking a motivated and skilled Scientist I/II in Strain Engineering to join our Applied Biology team. This role will be responsible for applying principles of genetic engineering, molecular biology, and metabolic models to improve expression of target proteins from a Bacillus host. This role will be a key contributor for both high-throughput screening and scale-up fermentation and will interface across teams for continuous and systematic improvement.

A successful candidate will have expertise in Bacillus biology and will have a record of success in applications of molecular biology to improve protein expression and strain function. The candidate will have experience in high-throughput genetic designs and downstream assays and be comfortable with agile workflows. The candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team to execute on multi-scale approaches to identify lead strains and expression conditions and develop robust protocols for transfer within internal and external groups. The individual will join a group of collaborative scientists with diverse skill sets and must have strong communication and critical thinking skills with a rigorous approach to science. The role requires full-time, on-site presence at our Boulder lab and may occasionally involve off-hours work.

Key Responsibilities

Strain and Host Engineering

• Engineer Bacillus host strains and expression architectures using genetic manipulation techniques and molecular biology approaches.
• Leverage metabolic engineering and molecular assays towards protein expression optimization in relevant fermentation conditions to improve protein secretion.

High-Throughput Screening and Scale-Up

• Develop and execute high-throughput screening assays to improve production hosts and architectures.
• Collaborate with data scientists, protein engineers, and the bioproduction team to achieve rapid scale-up of candidates determined through reliable plate-based screening approaches.

Documentation and Communication

• Ensure excellent practices in documentation of all protocols and experiments.
• Effectively communicate results with stakeholders across the company.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Molecular Biology, Microbiology or a related field with 1-3+ years additional field-specific experience.
• Expertise in Bacillus biology and genetics.
• Expertise in molecular biology and genome engineering including cloning, DNA parts such as promoters, RBSs, secretion tags, and integration.
• Experience utilizing metabolic engineering and profiling to optimize microbial hosts.
• Experience with automated workflow development.
• Experience with bioinformatics tools and sample management software.
• Demonstrated knowledge of experimental design, the scientific method, and statistical analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work within different teams.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• U.S. citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with principles of protein production and secretion in bacillus.
• Proficiency in working with data science teams for scripting pipelines and bioinformatics.

Compensation & Benefits

The starting pay range for this position is $95,000 - $120,000, commensurate with educational background and work experience.

Benefits include:

• 401(K)
• Medical, Dental, Vision plans (or equivalent)
• Flexible Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Company Holidays

EOE

Alta Resource Technologies is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds strengthen our team and drive better outcomes for our clients and partners.

We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and the needs of the business. Alta participates in e-Verify for all positions. 

If you require accommodations at any point in the hiring process, please let your recruiter know.

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