Analytical Chemist

About Travertine

Travertine is a Climate Tech start-up based in Boulder, CO that is rapidly scaling an electrochemical technology for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and sustainable critical element production. Our process takes carbon dioxide from the air and sources of waste sulfate to produce carbonate minerals, sulfuric acid, and hydrogen. The sulfuric acid is used in extraction of critical elements like lithium and nickel for EV batteries and phosphorus for fertilizer. The Travertine Process was developed by Prof. Laura Lammers at her UC Berkeley lab. Travertine was founded in 2022 to scale this process to gigatons of CDR and massively reduce industrial waste. 

In 2022, we raised a seed round from the Grantham Foundation and Clean Energy Ventures, we were one of the first companies to receive pre-purchases of CDR from the new Stripe-led $1B Frontier fund, and we received a $2M grant from the DOE’s ARPA-E program. We were named C&EN 10 startups to watch in 2022, a Bloomberg NEF Pioneer in 2023, and are part of the RMI Third Derivative 1st Gigaton Captured program. We have recently closed a substantial convertible note round, received a state agency grant to build a Demo Plant, and are in engineering for the Demo Plant to be commissioned in mid-2025. We believe in developing practical approaches to solving the climate crisis.

The Role

Travertine is seeking an Analytical Chemist to develop analytical methods tailored to Travertine’s process solutions and operate and maintain various analytical instruments. This role presents an exciting opportunity for a chemist skilled in ion chromatography (IC), UV-Vis spectrophotometry, elemental analysis and QA/QC methods to optimize the analysis of brine impurities and contribute to a cutting edge climate-improving technology.

As an Analytical Chemist, you will report directly to the Lab Director. Your primary responsibilities will include researching appropriate methods for detecting specific impurities in complicated matrices, testing the methods, and developing SOPs. You will also be responsible for maintaining and running samples on Travertine's analytical instruments, and interfacing with external labs for analysis we can't perform in house. 

• Operate and maintain analytical equipment, including ion chromatograph, autotitrators, density meter, spectrophotometer, carbon analyzers, and other elemental analysis techniques
• Assist in analytical method development, validation, and optimization
• Work with outside contractors and internal engineering team to develop best methods for characterization of process impurities
• Establish and maintain quality control (QC) procedures to ensure reliability and accuracy of analytical results
• Train team members on analytical instruments as needed
• Assist in writing SOPs for analytical methods
• Maintain laboratory quality and safety standards

• Bachelor's degree in analytical chemistry, materials science, or related field
• 3+ years experience in analytical chemistry, experience in mineral processing industry a plus or Master’s degree in analytical chemistry, materials science, or related field
• In-depth knowledge of analytical instrumentation operation and maintenance (specifically ion chromatography and spectroscopy)
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly and concisely

• Stock options
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• 401k with 100% match up to 3% of salary
• Flexible time off policy