Head of Biohydrometallurgy / Microbiology

At Cemvita Factory, we apply synthetic biology to lower the environmental footprint (climate, physical and chemical) of the resources we need both now and for a sustainable future. In the mining industry, we do this by using the latest biotech knowledge and tools to understand and enhance how microbes weather and interact with minerals. Our clients are from heavy industrial companies that strive to apply nature-inspired technologies for sustainable production of the resources we use every day.

The Opportunity

This is a PhD level position with a focus on microbiology and biohydrometallurgy in Cemvita Factory's Biomining vertical. The position will be a key leader of the research-to-rapid commercialization effort that leverages natural microbial-mineral interactions and the latest in biotech to unlock previously uneconomic or recalcitrant metal resources, both primary and secondary sources. Cemvita works with mining companies to reduce the climate footprint of mining, and to secure the metal requirements of our renewable energy future.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the design of microbiology and biohydrometallurgy experiments and microbial pathways using a variety of aerobic and anaerobic microbes.
• Development of proposals and concept solutions for public and private companies working in mineral and metal extraction
• Manage laboratory and technical team based in Denver
• Lead the optimization and scale-up of projects from lab to pilot (pre-commercialization phase)
• Work closely with mining companies, service providers and regulators to bring novel biomining solutions to bear on specific metal extraction problems
• Oversee the process to execute and optimize experiments specifically including microbiology culturing, metabolite, geochemical, and trace metal analyses, mineral processing and molecular characterization of community composition and gene expression
• Conduct statistical data analysis, interpret results, and present technical reports
• Supervise, coach, and mentor junior team members
• Consistently demonstrate company core values

Requirements

• PhD in microbiology, mineral processing, or a related field
• At least 7-15 years of industrial or academic work experience in biohydrometallurgy
• Demonstrated experience in copper, REE, and /or gold bioleaching
• Experience in mining and mineral processing industry is preferred

Nice to have

• Prior experience at a startup

Cemvitans are passionate about science and proud of their work, not afraid to think big and defy the impossible, and always ready to embrace multidisciplinary approaches. The Cemvita Way is based on first-principles thinking, where everyone strives to raise the bar every day and be a force-multiplier. They strive to create the future, leave a legacy, and celebrate wins along the way.