Research Associate: Product Development

What you will own at Wildtype

Convert cultivated animal tissues into consumable seafood products

Work with cell integration division to improve the properties of our current protein- and carbohydrate- based scaffolds through functionalization of raw food ingredients, sourcing new ingredients and testing new formulations

Carry out experiments with the guidance of our scientific leadership, maintain accurate notes, present data, engagement in product development, and planning

Develop cultivated seafood at different scales, ranging from lab scale to pilot plant scale and finally commercialization scale.

Collaborate with different teams (cell bio, process development, etc) to bring novel ideas into reality

What we’ll teach you

How to apply your skills in the context of next-generation sustainable meat production

Scale up benchtop volumes of cultivated meat to commercialization volumes

How to continue growing as a scientist with outside-the-box thinking, creative experimental design, execution, and analysis

Techniques such as hybrid scaffold fabrication, functional assays, advanced microscopy, rheology, texture analysis, and sourcing methodologies

What you bring to Wildtype

M.S with 0-2 years or B.S with 2-4 years experience in Food Science/Engineering, Material Science, Bioengineering or related fields

Protein chemistry, food processing background with a good understanding of plant-based ingredients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats), and component functionality & interactions in a food product as a whole is preferred

Alternative meat product (plant based meat analogue or cultivated meat) development experience is preferred

Comfortable taking notes, writing reports, and performing laboratory-related arithmetic

Capable of overcoming obstacles/difficulties with a positive attitude; enjoys challenges; proven ability to see goals through to the end

A hunger for learning, growth, and being part of a fast-moving, interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers

Strong attention to detail and excellent organization skills

Able to learn quickly and excel in a fast-paced work environment

Self-starter, willing to take initiative to accomplish key tasks

Impact Plan

Within 1 month you’ll have carried out your first experiment on your own, with the support of your scientific mentor. We’ll rely on you to test different formulations and other experimental reagents without supervision. You will have performed a few advanced analyses (including taste tests) on the samples you have produced. You will have defined your professional development goals for the next twelve months.

Within 3 months you will have mastered basic product development lab techniques within Wildtype’s unique context. You will be independently carrying out routine activities such as sourcing, tissue assembling, formulations, and polymer functionalization without supervision. You will have contributed to the design of several experiments.

Within 6 months your product development skills will have developed to the point where you can independently train a new hire on Wildtype’s entire product production process. Your work will be organized effectively to achieve tasks on time at a high level of quality. You will have executed your first independently designed experiment with controls, and presented your findings at a company-wide research meeting.

Within 12 months you’ll be managing and carrying out multiple experiments simultaneously. You will be able to articulate how your work directly impacts the company’s milestones. You will routinely take the initiative to research topics independently and volunteer new ideas or approaches.

The hiring range for this position is 80,000-92,000 per year, plus equity.