--- title: 'Data Scientist at KoBold Metals DRC' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/data-scientist-kobold-metals-drc-remote-h0kqrwt83w6z' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-10' --- # Data Scientist at KoBold Metals DRC - **Company:** KoBold Metals DRC - **Location:** Remote - **Work type:** remote - **Posted:** 2026-04-14 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/koboldmetalsdrc/jobs/4685023005 ## Job description Data Scientist ## About the company KoBold Metals is a mineral exploration company using AI to explore for the metals we need for our transition to a low-carbon economy. KoBold’s business is discovering, defining, expanding, and developing mineral resources, and KoBold’s objective is to achieve a step-change improvement in exploration success: we aim to discover more tier 1 resources, faster, and with fewer failures. KoBold has a global portfolio of more than 50 exploration properties targeting nickel, copper, cobalt, and lithium, which range from 100%-owned to partnerships with both majors, junior explorers, and prospectors. Our team includes the best of the industry in exploration geoscience, data science, software engineering, operations, and business personnel. Prior to joining KoBold, KoBold team members have made nearly 20 discoveries. Our exploration programs are co-led by our geoscientists and data scientists, who develop exploration hypotheses, rigorously quantify uncertainty in our understanding of the subsurface, and design data collection programs that most effectively reduce uncertainty, drawing upon a large suite of proprietary exploration technology built by our data scientists and software engineers. Our field programs validate and improve the system and have demonstrated material improvements over conventional exploration methods KoBold is privately held; investors include institutional asset managers T. Rowe Price and Canada Pension Plan Investments; technology venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BOND Capital, Durable Capital, StepStone, and Standard Investments; and strategic natural resources companies BHP and Mitsubishi. We are hiring Data Scientists to help accelerate our mission. ## About the position In this role, you will build predictive models and apply a wide range of scientific computing, statistical, and physics-based methods to find places where there is evidence of ore-forming processes at work and to predict the locations of ore-grade mineralization in 2D and 3D. You will help build a worldwide dataset that underlies our exploration program, with careful attention to identifying and quantifying uncertainty in the data and in our predictions. You will create models and develop software to accelerate discovery of critical battery metals. You will join an outstanding team of data scientists and engineers and will work closely with KoBold’s world-renowned geoscientists to incorporate our best understanding of the chemical and physical processes that create ore deposits. Working with your geoscience colleagues, you will create 2D and 3D geologic predictions, identify exploration targets, design field programs to collect data, and use that data to reduce the uncertainty in our predictions and guide the next phase of field work. Ultimately, your role is to help KoBold make valuable discoveries by building data tools to solve scientific problems. As one of the early members of this team, you will help build these tools from the ground up. ## Responsibilities The Data Scientist will: - Help develop KoBold’s proprietary software exploration tools. - Find and curate  geophysical, geochemical, geologic, and geographic data and integrate it into KoBold’s proprietary data system. - Build models to make statistically valid predictions about the locations of compositional anomalies within the Earth’s crust. - Create effective visualizations for evaluating model performance and enabling rapid interaction with the underlying data and key features. - Develop and apply data processing, statistical, and physics-based techniques to geoscientific data — from computer vision to geophysical inversions — and use the results to guide our targeting efforts and inform our acquisition and exploration decisions. - Present to and collaborate with our external partners and stakeholders. ## Qualifications A great Data Scientist candidate will have: Technical skills, including extensive experience with: - Python’s data science packages and general software engineering practices. - Collaborative software development (git), and familiarity with software engineering best practices like unit test / integration test suites, and CICD pipelines. - Cloud computing resources. - Building predictive models, applying them to different problems, and evaluating and interpreting the results. - Data from a variety of physical systems. - Geospatial analyses and visualizations. Technical knowledge: - Broad skills in and knowledge of applied statistics and Bayesian inference - Substantial understanding of machine learning algorithms Training and work experience: - An advanced degree in the physical sciences, engineering, computer science, or mathematics - Experience leading technical teams to apply novel scientific approaches to core business problems Work practices and motivation: - Ability to take ownership and responsibility of large projects. - Ability to explain technical problems to and collaborate on solutions with domain experts. - Communicates well on a collaborative, cross-functional team. - Excitement about joining a fast-growing early-stage company, comfort with a dynamic work environment, and eagerness to take on a range of responsibilities. - Ability to independently prioritize multiple tasks effectively. - Intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn about all aspects of mineral exploration, particularly in the geology domain. - Enjoys constantly learning such that you are driving insights through using our tools in exploration and willing to work directly with geologists in the field. - Keen not just to build cool technology, but to figure out what technical product to build to best achieve the business objectives of the company. - A valid passport and willingness to travel to observe our work at Mingomba or at an exploration site around the world. It is also helpful but not required to have experience with: - Creating machine learning models on geospatial data - Geostatistics - Image processing or computer vision - Distributed computing applications for machine learning and other computations What to Expect Joining KoBold means getting the opportunity for hands-on exposure to our exploration projects around the world. All employees are expected to travel to project sites, with a minimum of one week per year. Field-facing and technical roles spend significantly more time in the field. KoBold Metals is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, or veteran status. This position is Contract: Indefinite Location: Democratic Republic of Congo ## About KoBold Metals DRC ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: KoBold Metals DRC is the Democratic Republic of Congo subsidiary of KoBold Metals, a scientific mineral exploration and development company that uses artificial intelligence and human expertise to discover critical minerals like copper and lithium. - **Entity Type**: Private (Subsidiary of KoBold Metals, a private company) - **Headquarters**: Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC office); parent company based in Berkeley, California, USA - **Founded**: Parent company founded 2018; DRC subsidiary established with office opened in February 2026 - **Founders**: Parent founded by Kurt House, Ph.D. (CEO), Josh Goldman, Ph.D., and others ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Mineral exploration and development (copper, cobalt, lithium, nickel) - **Target customers**: B2B – mining companies, metal buyers, joint venture partners; indirectly serves the global energy transition supply chain - **Mission or purpose statement**: “Finding the materials of the future with AI and HI” – combining artificial intelligence and human intelligence to make discoveries faster, turning exploration into a repeatable science. ## Products & Services - **Predictive Exploration Platform**: Proprietary AI/ML models that integrate geological, geophysical, and geochemical data to predict mineral deposit locations. (Type: SaaS/Data Science Platform) - **Data Systems & Novel Sensors**: Centralized earth‑crust knowledge system and state‑of‑the‑art hardware/software to collect more and better data faster. (Type: Hardware/Software) - **Mine Development (Mingomba, Zambia)**: Developing one of the world’s largest copper mines in Zambia, located near the DRC border. (Type: Mining Operation) - **Joint Ventures & Exploration Projects**: 100% owned projects and partnerships globally, including the Manono lithium deposit in DRC (pending acquisition agreement with AVZ). (Type: Exploration Service) ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company) - **Key Metric**: Total funding raised by parent company is not disclosed in available sources; focus on operational growth: new DRC office opened February 2026; agreement to acquire AVZ’s interests in the Manono lithium deposit (May 2025); agreement with Burundi to digitize geological data (2025). - **Notable Investors/Partners**: AVZ (Manono deposit partner), Government of Burundi (geological data digitization agreement), and a network of JV partners - **Growth Signals**: - Grand opening of KoBold Metals DRC office in Lubumbashi (February 2026) - Active hiring for Field Operations Lead, Security Coordinator, Exploration Geologists, Community Liaison, and Lab Supervisor in DRC - Development of the Mingomba copper mine in Zambia (one of the world’s largest) - Expanding presence across the Copperbelt on both sides of the DRC-Zambia border ## Competitive Advantages - **AI‑First Exploration**: Combines machine learning, proprietary data systems, and world‑class geologists to systematically reduce exploration risk, making discovery more repeatable. - **Integrated Team**: Multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, software and hardware engineers, geologists, and mining experts working co‑creatively. - **Ethical & Safety‑Focused**: Strong emphasis on integrity, anti‑corruption, environmental protection, community support, and safety as core operational principles. - **Data Moat**: Centralized knowledge of the earth’s crust and novel sensor technology that competitors cannot replicate quickly. ## Strategic Focus - **DRC Expansion**: Deepening presence in the DRC through local hiring, a new Lubumbashi office, and advancing the Manono lithium project. - **African Operations Leadership**: Appointing a CEO of KoBold Metals Africa (Sitwala Mulonda) and a Directeur Général for DRC (Benjamin Katabuka) to drive regional growth. - **Digitization & Collaboration**: Partnering with governments (e.g., Burundi) to digitize geological data, opening new exploration frontiers. - **Mine Development**: Progressing the Mingomba copper mine toward production, which will be a major revenue driver. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: “We are all owners,” “We are Bayesians” (data‑driven decision‑making), and “We seek the truth” – a culture that values curiosity, humility, and open dialogue over hierarchy. - **Work Style**: Multidisciplinary teams; remote and on‑site options available (positions listed as both remote and on‑site depending on role). - **Perks & Environment**: Opportunity to work on hard, meaningful problems at the intersection of AI and natural resources, with a mission to supply materials for the energy transition. Employees are encouraged to share work early and often, and to challenge ideas constructively. - **Locations**: DRC (Lubumbashi, Manono), Zambia (Lusaka, Mingomba), and globally; roles in field operations, geology, security, legal, and corporate communications. ## Sources 1. [koboldmetals.com](https://koboldmetals.com/) – Company overview, solution, and values 2. [koboldmetals.com/team](https://koboldmetals.com/team/) – Leadership and team structure 3. [koboldmetals.com/careers](https://koboldmetals.com/careers/) – Culture description and open positions 4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/koboldmetalsdrc](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/koboldmetalsdrc) – DRC specific job listings (8 positions) 5. [koboldmetals.com/blog/kobold-metals-drc-opens-new-office-in-lubumbashi](https://koboldmetals.com/blog/kobold-metals-drc-opens-new-office-in-lubumbashi/) – News: new DRC office opened February 2026 6. [koboldmetals.com] (referenced in blog) – Agreement with AVZ for Manono lithium (May 2025) and Burundi geological data digitization ## Other roles at KoBold Metals DRC - [Drilling Superintendent](https://feeny.ai/job/drilling-superintendent-kobold-metals-drc-manono-jg1nppve9y8r) — Manono, Democratic Republic of the Congo - [Security Coordinator, DRC](https://feeny.ai/job/security-coordinator-drc-kobold-metals-drc-manono-q9y2dqt097kv) — Manono - [HR Lead, DRC](https://feeny.ai/job/hr-lead-drc-kobold-metals-drc-lubumbashi-nzecwqb4etkb) — Lubumbashi - [Field Operations Supervisor I, DRC](https://feeny.ai/job/field-operations-supervisor-i-drc-kobold-metals-drc-manono-c8m8df0xjb5p) — Manono, Democratic Republic of the Congo - [DRC Accounting Operations Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/drc-accounting-operations-lead-kobold-metals-drc-remote-y73yf4n023a6) - [IT & Data Support Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/it-data-support-specialist-kobold-metals-drc-lubumbashi-g9100159d9qt) — Lubumbashi - [Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-kobold-metals-drc-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-sqt81t7d3wh3) — Democratic Republic of the Congo - [Land & Permitting Lead, DRC](https://feeny.ai/job/land-permitting-lead-drc-kobold-metals-drc-lubumbashi-m4e748nxarb8) — Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo - [Exploration Geologist - Democratic Republic of Congo (Copper)](https://feeny.ai/job/exploration-geologist-democratic-republic-of-congo-copper-kobold-metals-drc-m1my39zqkcnn) — Democratic Republic of the Congo - [Senior Exploration Geologist - Democratic Republic of Congo (Copper)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-exploration-geologist-democratic-republic-of-congo-copper-kobold-metals-sfzspth5tbe4) — Democratic Republic of the Congo