Cell Line Engineer

About VitroLabs: VitroLabs, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Milpitas California, is a biotech company developing a scalable tissue engineering platform for the efficient and environmentally friendly production of leather from only a few cells.  Combining advanced tissue engineering processes with proprietary advances to achieve commercial scale, VitroLabs is on a mission to produce cell cultivated leather that achieves the look, feel and performance of traditional leather without compromise. The composition of the material achieves the complexity of traditional hides without the need to go to animals as an ongoing source of hides. The process is more environmentally sustainable and favorable for animal welfare than that which is used to produce traditional leather. 

About the role:

Reporting to the Cell Biology Lead, the Cell Line Engineer will use receptor engineering and extracellular matrix production regulation to develop novel mammalian cell lines that will help facilitate more efficient and cost-effective tissue formation. The Cell Line Engineer works with various teams, including R&D, Product, and Operations, to support advancements in bioprocessing, scaffolding, and large-scale tissue formation.

About You:

You are an experienced cell biologist who enjoys collaborating across disciplines in order to solve complex problems. You effectively share ideas, data, and bottle-necks to technical and non-technical audiences alike. You have knowledge or interest in cellular agriculture and are excited to bring your experience in cell line engineering to this nascent industry. You are excited to join a startup team!

Responsibilities:

• Develop new cell lines by modifying growth factor signaling and extracellular matrix production mechanisms
• Develop assays to screen, isolate, and validate cell lines
• Collaborate with bioprocessing, biomaterial, and tissue bioreactor teams to transfer and develop downstream processes for the new cell lines
• Identify, suggest, purchase and operate specific equipment through established processes to support this role
• Mentor junior members with technical skills, presentations, and experimental design

Qualifications & Skills:

• Experienced in adherent and suspension mammalian cell culture
• Experience with molecular cloning and transfection including designing DNA constructs, producing plasmids, and delivering to cells using transfection or electroporation
• Genetic engineering: can use viral (lentivirus, AAV, etc.) or non viral methods (CRISPR, transposons, TALEN, ZFNs, etc.) to modify cells. Able to apply a variety of tools to validate the modification
• Cell line development: able to screen, isolate, and validate targeted cell populations
• Receptor engineering: able to design novel chimeric receptors to regulate a variety of signaling pathways
• Extracellular matrix pathway engineering: knowledge of extracellular matrix biology with an ability to develop methods to manipulate the production of extracellular matrix by the cells

Compensation:

• $110,000-120,000 annually

Benefits

• 90-100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental care
• Flexible Spending Account/ Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Basic Life insurance & Long Term Disability insurance
• Commuter benefits
• 401K (Employer matching)

Perks

• Onsite employer sponsored lunches (3 days each week)
• Fully stocked kitchen (snacks responsibly sourced)
• Team happy hours and regularly scheduled table tennis, foosball, and cornhole matches

DISCLAIMER:  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the functions, responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position, and VitroLabs Inc retains the discretion to modify functions, responsibilities, duties and skills at any time, including modifying the time devoted to such activities, deleting activities and assigning other activities. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  VitroLabs Inc is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, national origin, religion, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.