Senior Analytical Chemist

At Giraffe Bio, we're advancing mineral processing by bringing the tools of biotechnology and AI into mining. Our team develops biomolecules and bioprocesses that improve metal recovery, lower energy use, and reduce environmental impact. This is a unique opportunity to join a growing startup that blends molecular biology, chemistry, and mineral science to build the next generation of extraction technologies.

We're looking for a Senior Analytical Chemist to lead analytical development for our biomolecule-based collector platform. This is not a routine QC role. You'll take open-ended questions about product performance, did it degrade, did its surface charge change, did it interact with another reagent, did the ore itself change? and turn them into sound analytical plans that give the R&D team confident answers.

You'll design and run methods that characterize product identity, quality, stability, and batch-to-batch comparability, with a strong focus on surface chemistry and mineral interaction. The ideal candidate has real independent judgment in method development, not just technique execution.

Analytical Method Development

• Design and validate methods to answer emerging questions from chemical development, adapting techniques as new development questions arise.
• Apply core validation criteria (linearity, precision, accuracy, LOD/LOQ) and basic statistical treatment of analytical data.

Product & Surface Characterization

• Determine product structure and identity fingerprints; measure zeta potential, DLS, and surface charge to track batch-to-batch comparability against benchmark lots.

Stability & Compatibility Studies

• Design stability studies (temperature, light, pH, etc.) and define preliminary shelf-life criteria.
• Design compatibility assays between our biomolecules and other reagents (collectors, frothers, etc.); identify interactions and propose use conditions.

General Lab Operations

• Prepare solutions, standards, and controls with rigor; maintain accurate records and traceable documentation.

REQUIRED

• PhD or Master's in Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, or a closely related field; OR a Bachelor's degree (Licenciatura) with 3–5 years of proven analytical experience.
• Demonstrated experience in analytical method development, not only routine QC execution.
• Experience with chromatographic techniques (GC, HPLC, columns, etc.)
• Strong scientific judgment: ability to translate an open product question into a structured analytical plan.
• Working English for reading and writing technical protocols and instrument documentation.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with UV-Vis, colorimetric assays, or fluorescence-based quantification.
• Experience with FTIR/ATR-IR or NMR.
• Hands-on experience with zeta potential / DLS and contact angle measurements.
• Experience with AAS or ICP.
• Prior work in mineral processing, water analysis (hardness test, DBO, DQO, etc.), or flotation chemistry

• Scientific ownership: lead the analytical strategy behind a novel biomolecule platform, from method design to interpretation.
• Real impact: your work directly explains and improves product performance in an active R&D pipeline.
• Competitive pay: compensation aligned with your experience level.
• Startup upside: room to grow as the company and its mining projects scale.

Note: if you move forward in the process, we'll ask for 2–3 professional references (people who've worked with you directly). No need to send them now, just have them in mind.