Research Associate, Applied Cell Line Development & Customer Programs

Prolific Machines

Emeryville, California

Posted on: 2026-11-07

Category: agritech

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Employment type:

Full time

Experience required:

Intermediate

Salary

$72,500.00 - $117,500.00

About the company:

Prolific Machines is an innovative startup biotech on a mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture. We believe that we have the only solution to make cultured meat at a price that is competitive with factory farming. We are looking for mission-driven, skilled, and kind people to help create the alternative we need to transition to a more sustainable and healthy future.

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. Our first-of-its-kind optogenetic platform delivers unprecedented control, precisely guiding cellular behavior when and where it matters most. Unlike existing tools used to control biology, our technology enables dynamic, tunable control over virtually any cellular function in any cell type. We're enabling partners to unlock robust efficiency, quality, and reproducibility advantages across the most complex pharmaceuticals and therapeutic proteins. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield and SOSV.

We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate to help advance our mammalian cell line development and protein production capabilities. At Prolific, we use light to control the expression of biotherapeutic proteins, with the goal of increasing titer and improving quality attributes. In this role, you will play a key part in generating and characterizing cell lines that support both internal research and customer programs. The ideal candidate enjoys hands-on laboratory work, takes pride in delivering consistent, high-quality results, and is eager to learn and grow in a fast-paced startup environment. You’ll collaborate with scientists and engineers across multiple disciplines, with opportunities to expand your technical expertise, take on increasing ownership, and contribute directly to Prolific’s success. This role is based on-site in our headquarters in Emeryville, CA.

Benefits: Generous equity package in an early stage company, retirement plan with company contribution, flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums, company-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, career coaching, mental health support, free team lunches everyday, great snacks, and companywide social events!

Diversity: Prolific Machines values diverse perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can bring their authentic selves to work and have equal opportunities to succeed. Prolific Machines is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)

Responsibilities:

Own and drive workflows using mammalian cell culture, primarily working with suspension HEK and suspension CHO

Generate stable cell lines via transfection (ie electroporation) and selection as well as serving as the primary technical owner of many genetically distinct cell lines at once

Handle protein production workflows at different scales - deep well plates and shake flasks, potentially including small scale bioreactors such as the Ambr system

Execute downstream readouts such as cell counting (Celleca, nucleocounter), metabolite measurements (Nova / CEDEX), Octet BLI, flow cytometry

Perform single cell isolation using methods such as FACS, cell deposition, or Beacon

Execute plasmid cloning and molecular biology techniques including PCR and ddPCR

Conduct experiments independently, collect and analyze data in a timely manner, maintain detailed documentation in electronic lab notebooks, and data visualization and presentation in team meetings

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Biotechnology, or a related field, with relevant laboratory experience in mammalian cell culture. Candidates will be considered at the Research Associate I, Research Associate II, and Senior Research Associate levels based on their experience, technical proficiency, and demonstrated independence.

Proficient in mammalian cell culture, preferably with experience in cell line development, and are well versed in sterile technique, transfection, and clone isolation

Comfortable with readouts such as cell counting, metabolite measurement, Octet BLI and flow cytometry

Comfortable with developing and proposing experimental plans, conducting experiments, and troubleshooting analytical techniques and methodologies

Proficient in precisely following protocols, designing and executing experiments independently, and managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced setting

Self-starter who’s committed to team science and effective independent work

Strong organizational skills with an interest in creating and maintaining organizational infrastructure for both lab experiments and with data analysis

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Excitement for working in a fast-paced startup environment and comfort with evolving project scopes and shifting priorities

We recognize that strong candidates may not meet every preferred qualification. If you have a solid foundation in mammalian cell culture, a commitment to high-quality laboratory work, and enthusiasm for learning, we encourage you to apply.