How to apply for Commercial & Scientific Analyst/Lead

About KoBold Metals

KoBold Metals uses AI to find critical minerals like copper, lithium, and cobalt. The company's first discovery, Mingomba in Zambia, is a high-grade copper deposit found at a lower cost than industry average. Working here means applying data science, engineering, and geology to make mineral exploration a repeatable science.

About the role

The Commercial & Scientific Analyst/Lead supports KoBold's exploration and development projects by combining commercial analysis with scientific data work. You will help evaluate project economics, build data systems, and test subsurface predictions across exploration sites. This role directly supports the company's goal of discovering minerals needed for electrification.

A typical day

A typical day might involve analyzing exploration data to support a commercial decision, building or refining a data workflow with engineers, and meeting with geologists or project teams to review predictions. You would split time between quantitative analysis and coordination with remote colleagues across different disciplines.

Who KoBold Metals is looking for

• Experience in commercial analysis or financial modeling, ideally in mining, energy, or a related industrial sector.
• Background in data science, geoscience, or engineering with the ability to work with large datasets and build workflows.
• Comfort working in a multidisciplinary team of data scientists, engineers, and geologists.
• Ability to manage projects remotely and communicate clearly across technical and commercial topics.

Tips for this application

• Read KoBold's public materials on the Mingomba discovery and reference how your skills could support similar exploration or development work.
• Highlight any experience with mineral exploration, mining economics, or subsurface data in your resume.
• Show you can work at the intersection of commercial and scientific analysis by describing a project where you used data to inform a business decision.
• Mention specific tools or methods you have used for data analysis, modeling, or workflow design.
• Explain why you want to work remotely for a company that integrates AI with field geology and engineering.

What to cover in your cover letter

Explain how your commercial analysis skills apply to mineral exploration or mine development. Describe a time you used scientific or technical data to support a business case. Show you understand KoBold's approach of combining AI, human intelligence, and new technology. State your interest in working on critical mineral projects like Mingomba.

Research before applying

• Read KoBold's announcements about the Mingomba copper discovery in Zambia and the company's exploration methods.
• Look up the founders and leadership to understand their backgrounds in AI, mining, and technology.
• Find public interviews or articles about KoBold's approach to integrating AI with geology and exploration.
• Check if KoBold has published any technical papers or blog posts about their data systems and subsurface predictions.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you evaluate the commercial viability of a new mineral deposit?
• Describe a project where you integrated scientific data into a commercial model.
• What experience do you have with subsurface data or geological datasets?
• How do you approach building repeatable workflows for data analysis?
• Why do you want to work at KoBold Metals specifically, and how would you support the Mingomba project?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention KoBold's focus on critical minerals or the Mingomba project.
• Focusing only on commercial analysis without showing any ability to work with scientific or technical data.
• Ignoring the remote nature of the role and not addressing how you manage remote collaboration.