Associate Scientist: Tissue Engineering

What you will own at Wildtype

• Characterize and improve cell-tissue interactions in novel biocompatible scaffolds spanning multiple marine species and cellular agriculture products
• Optimize cultured tissue phenotypes to improve the taste, texture, and appearance of cultivated seafood products
• Identify and assess key genetic and phenotypic features of novel marine species cell lines within the context of tissue engineering
• Apply biochemistry knowledge to help design next-generation biomaterial scaffolds with our polymer scientists
• Analyze the development of 3D tissue cultures using a variety of methods, including confocal microscopy, molecular biology assays, mechanical assays, and sensory studies
• Carry out experiments with minimal guidance, maintain accurate notes, and present findings to the larger group
• Provide scientific guidance and mentorship to junior crewmates
• Apply and integrate new technologies

What we’ll teach you

• How to apply your tissue engineering experience in the context of next-generation sustainable food production
• Characterization and culture protocols of Wildtype’snovel cell lines in next-generation scaffolds and bioreactors
• Scale-up methodologies for growing tissue engineering scaffolds to unprecedented volumes
• How to continue growing as a scientist with outside-the-box thinking, creative experimental design, execution, and analysis

 What you bring to Wildtype

• PhD in Biological or Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Polymer/Materials Science, or a related field. 1+ years experience from relevant industries (such as food, pharmaceutical, biochemical, medical device) is preferred but not required. 
• Strong background in 3D cell culture and scaffold fabrication (preferred experience with biopolymers)

• Exceptional organizational skills, including project planning and recording laboratory notes. 
• Strong scientific communication, both among technical and non-technical crewmates
• Resilience and a positive attitude in the face of technical obstacles/difficulties 
• The enjoyment of important scientific and engineering challenges
• A hunger for learning, growth, and being part of a fast-moving, dynamic team
• 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 experiments on your own, with the support of your scientific mentor. We’ll rely on you to maintain cell cultures and prepare scaffolds for cell seeding without supervision. You will have performed a few analyses on the samples you have produced. You will have defined your professional development goals for the next twelve months with help from your mentor.
• Within 3 months you will have mastered basic scaffold preparation techniques and cell culture protocols within Wildtype’s unique context. You will be independently carrying out routine activities such as sample preparation and analyses without supervision. You will have started to contribute to the re-design/formulation of next-generation cell scaffolds. You will also have contributed to the scientific direction of the projects with which you are involved.
• Within 6 months your tissue engineering skills and understanding of cell-scaffold interactions will have developed to the point where you can both mentor junior researchers and define novel directions for our tissue engineering efforts. Your work will be organized effectively to achieve tasks on time and at a high level of quality. You will have presented your findings at a company-wide research meeting.   
• Within 12 months you’ll be managing and carrying out multiple experiments simultaneously and be meaningfully contributing to team leadership. 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.