Prolific Machines is 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.

Diversity : We value diverse people, perspectives, and knowledge. To this end, we aim to foster a sense of belonging that enables everyone to bring their whole, authentic self to work everyday. We are committed to growing a diverse and inclusive team that encompasses all types of people. We believe this can only be achieved by acknowledging the ancestral, historic, and current systemic and communal inequities.

The Position

We’re looking for a senior scientist with experience in muscle stem cell biology to help increase the biomass produced, whilst reducing the time and cost of muscle differentiation at scale. Prolific Machines’ technology involves approaches to grow and differentiate stem cells in adherent and suspension cultures. Hence, skills in suspension or organoid culture, genetic engineering, tissue engineering, or scaled differentiation are favorable.

You’ll work with a versatile team in a dynamic environment. The cultured meat products you’ll help to bring about have the potential to feed the world’s growing demand for meat without destroying the climate!

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to accelerate differentiation of MuSCs to myotubes and improve the biomass produced - you will need technical expertise in MuSCs and genetic engineering, strong communication skills, ability to evaluate and address risk, and strategic vision for the project.
• Function as an architect within the differentiation team, weighing in on strategy for differentiating various cell types at scale - you will need to be comfortable piecing together what is known from the literature as well as ideating about what is possible beyond published works.
• Piloting growing MuSCs via a scalable method
• Weigh in on differentiation process for a structured meat product
• As needed, aid with isolation of MuSCs from different species, breeds etc.
  
  

What you’ll bring

• PhD and 1-2+ years of experience in muscle stem cell biology
• Expertise in culturing mammalian cells. Experience working with organoids or suspension cultures would be a plus.
• Experience with standard cell and molecular biology techniques including microscopy and gene/protein expression analysis
• Experience in genetic engineering of mammalian cells
  
  

In addition, you recognize yourself in the following

• You are an effective integrator - you are a quick learner and effective facilitator and can integrate knowledge, data, and experience from others to make efficient progress.
• You combine a curious and open mind to innovative approaches with a knowledge of what works.
• You are a thoughtful, collaborative and fun coworker who cares deeply about the company's mission and culture.
• You thrive in a dynamic environment and can take on the plurality of challenges that are inherent to startups.
  
  

Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville)

Benefits: Outstanding Health, Vision & Dental Insurance (including full spouse coverage), at least one all-expense-paid team holiday per year, flexibility in schedule and unlimited vacation days. Free lunch every day!

Evaluation : In lieu of the traditional application process of a CV and cover letter, we would rather give you an opportunity to tell us about yourself on your own terms by answering the below three questions. However, we do ask that it is concise (e.g less than 200 words for written answers).