Research Assistant - Bioprocess Development

Umami Meats

Umami Meats

Tuasivi, Samoa
Posted on Mar 30, 2024
At Umami Bioworks, we are pioneering cultivated, 'not caught' seafood by developing the production system for delicious, nutritious, and affordable cultivated fish, starting with IUCN Red Listed species that are difficult to farm and being driven extinct by human consumption. We are partnering with food producers to scale our cultivated seafood production system to provide people around the world with a stable, resilient, local supply of seafood free from mercury, antibiotics, microplastics, and ocean pollutants.

We’re on a mission to empower humanity to eat sustainably without sacrifice. We believe the only way to change how the majority of the world eats meat and seafood is to create real seafood - the most delicious, healthiest seafood available - without the environmental and animal welfare consequences of our current practices.

We’re a venture-backed biotech startup located in Singapore where some of the world’s smartest, most passionate people are pioneering a sustainable food future that is attractive and accessible to people around the world. We are united by our collective drive to ask tough questions, take on challenging problems, and apply cutting-edge science and engineering to create a better future for humanity. At Umami Bioworks, you will be encouraged to dream big and will have the freedom to create, invent, and do the best, most impactful work of your career.

Umami Bioworks is looking to hire an inquisitive, innovative, and independent Research Assistant - Bioprocess Development to join our R&D team in Singapore.

What You Will Do:

  • Plan to carry out independent experiments to support the process optimization in shake flask/spinner flask scale
  • Operate lab-scale bioreactor system for suspension cell culture with various modes of cell cultivation
  • Perform experimental screening of bioprocess approaches at bench scale to establish optimal processes with cost-effective approaches for cultivated seafood production
  • Preparing and maintaining cell cultures and media in a sterile environment, following standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sterilization and cleanliness procedures
  • Monitoring equipment such as cell counters, pH meters, osmometers, and pressure gauges to ensure that process conditions in the bioreactors are within safe ranges at all times
  • Maintenance of equipment such as incubators, LN2 containers, shakers, stirrers, refrigerators, and freezers
  • Maintaining detailed records of cell culture processes, including cell density, cell viability, temperature and pH levels, pO2 levels, agitation, aerations, and other factors
  • Conclude, present project results, and make technical recommendations to the team

You will work directly with other members of our small but growing team to do cutting-edge science and will have the autonomy to test new ideas and identify better ways to do things.

Experience & Technical Skills

  • Bachelor's degree in Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biotechnology or Bioprocess development or related field, with 0-2 years of experience
  • Knowledgeable of the science of upstream cell culture processes
  • Experience in cell culture techniques (aseptic technique, cell counting, viability assays)
  • Prior experience in a laboratory setting, preferably in bioprocess development, cell culture, or tissue engineering
  • Exposure to the cultivated meat industry or related fields (e.g., biopharmaceuticals, biotechnology) is advantageous
  • Experience working on research projects involving cell culture, bioreactor operation, or bioprocess optimization is desirable

Good to have Skills:

  • Experience with bench-scale bioreactor operation and control systems for cell culture

Note: This position is only for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents and available to start immediately.