About Tatta Bio

Tatta Bio (www.tatta.bio) is a nonprofit startup building AI models and experimental platforms to discover and engineer biological functions encoded in microbial genomes. We are hiring a team of experimental scientists to build a high-throughput enzyme characterization platform that will expand the range of chemical reactions accessible through biocatalysis.

Our work includes large-scale genomic language models trained on diverse microbial genomes and SeqHub, an open platform for exploring proteins and their genomic contexts. We have leveraged these technologies to discover previously uncharacterized biological functions and guide the design of novel enzymes and biosynthetic pathways.

Microbial genomes encode an enormous diversity of enzymes, but the functions and substrate specificities of most remain unknown. By combining genomic language models with systematic experimental characterization, we aim to make enzyme function predictable and unlock new chemistry for biotechnology, sustainable manufacturing, and beyond.

The Role

You will lead the development of a high-throughput enzyme characterization platform, integrating scalable protein expression and purification, mass spectrometry-based activity assays, substrate specificity screening, and laboratory automation. Working closely with our machine learning scientists, you will leverage genomic language models to prioritize experiments, discover new biochemical activities, and generate datasets that improve predictions of enzyme function.

Who You Are

• You are a hands-on experimental scientist who enjoys discovering new enzyme chemistry and building scalable experimental platforms.
• You have deep expertise in enzymology and analytical chemistry, with the ability to independently develop and troubleshoot workflows.
• You thrive in interdisciplinary teams and are excited to combine AI with experimental discovery.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and automate high-throughput workflows for protein expression, and enzyme activity screening.
• Design LC–MS-based assays to characterize enzyme activity, substrate specificity, and reaction products.
• Collaborate with ML scientists to guide enzyme discovery and generate high-quality biochemical datasets.
• Shape scientific strategy, mentor junior scientists, and contribute to publications, grants, and research collaborations.

What We're Looking For

Required

• PhD in biochemistry, chemical biology, or a related field, or equivalent research experience.
• Strong hands-on experience in enzyme characterization, protein expression, and purification.
• Deep expertise in LC-MS(/MS) method development, quantitative analysis, and troubleshooting.