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.

How we work

Speed is part of our DNA. We’re building first-of-a-kind technology and facilities, which means the path isn’t always mapped. We’re comfortable with ambiguity: making sound, timely decisions guided by clear priorities, adapting quickly as we learn, and keeping a relentless focus on moving our business forward. We commit to fixed milestones on compressed timelines and hold ourselves accountable without compromising on safety or rigor.

Location: Boulder, CO

Reports To: Principal Scientist, Protein Engineering

About Us

Role Summary

Alta is seeking a Scientist I in Protein Engineering to join our Applied Biology team. This role will be responsible for developing and implementing assays for data-driven protein design campaigns towards discovering and validating enhanced binding specificity. This role will be a key contributor to building high-throughput screening capabilities and developing assays for ion binding and bioconjugation.

A successful candidate will have expertise in developing and executing assays that support protein discovery workflows in small molecule, ion, or metal binding proteins. The candidate will collaborate with data scientists, strain engineers, analytics, and chemistry groups to generate robust and reliable assays that scale. 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

Assay Development and Execution

Work within a team to develop and execute high-throughput assays for protein characterization including for protein quantification, bioconjugations, and binding capacities.
Design and implement microtiter plate workflows for directed evolution campaigns.
Develop and onboard novel assays for protein characterization.

Data Analysis and Protein Discovery Support

Work with scientists for rapid turnaround of testing data to aid in novel protein discovery and leverage the outcomes for additional protein design campaigns.
Interpret test data and protein analysis data for guiding round-over-round improvements.

Collaboration and Documentation

Collaborate with strain engineers to achieve reliable microtiter production.
Ensure excellent practices in documentation of all protocols and experiments.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, or related fields with 1-3+ years of research experience.
Strong hands-on laboratory skills, with a record of independently running and troubleshooting experiments.