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Associate Scientist - Assay Development

Plantible Foods

Plantible Foods

Vista, CA, USA
Posted on Oct 9, 2025

Kindly be advised that we are handling the recruitment for this position internally and are not partnering with external recruiters.

We are a Biology Company

Plantible, backed by Astanor Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, Piva Capital, Kellogg’s, and Vectr Ventures, is a vertically integrated biology company that is unlocking the power in plants in service of people & planet. Our mission is to create solutions that empower customers to make sustainable and regenerative choices without compromising on quality. We are beginning with the food industry. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and continued success: https://www.plantiblefoods.com/

How you will contribute:

We are seeking a passionate and mission-driven Associate Scientist - Assay Development with passion for development, execution, and continuous improvement of the most critical assays and experimental methods in our drive towards producing the highest quality functional plant protein with exceptional yield and quality. This individual will lead efforts in our strain, nutrient, and environmental screens to optimize growth, protein production, and extraction while aiding in standardization of scale-down assay throughput & quality with fellow Scientists and Engineers. The individual will have the opportunity to make an immediate and sustainable impact in the development of the company.

What you will be working on:

  • Streamline assay development and assay throughput for key R&D projects related to plant strain screening, protein purification & extraction, odor and flavor modification, and protein functionality testing.
  • Drive operational efficiency, precision, and scientific rigor to streamline bottlenecks in current experimental methods with a move towards standardization of methods and improved experimental outcomes.
  • Leverage statistics and statistical design of experiments (DoE) to identify single and multi-factor variables that drive key metrics of interest as it relates to plant growth rate, protein production, protein extraction efficiency, and functional properties related to functionality, flavor, odor and color.
  • Develop new and innovative experimental and scale-down assays to mimic plant growth and downstream processing.
  • Implement improved analytical methods (chromatography, spectroscopy, etc.) to assess the effectiveness and robustness of extraction processes. Leverage these insights and in-process data to troubleshoot current processes and provide insights for the development of future research.

What you bring to Plantible:

  • B.S. or M.S in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Bioengineering.
  • 3 to 5+ years of industry experience in assay development in an industrial environment.
  • Excellent laboratory skills and a passion for impacting R&D outcomes through experimentation where solid data is the ultimate influencer.
  • Assay development experience in a diversity of applications where method improvement and standardization drove improved efficiency and outcomes.
  • A willingness to solve problems using a combination of clever scientific approaches, rigorous and coordinated execution, and a bias to action.
  • Relevant experience with screening photosynthetic organisms and/or protein production in varied organisms is preferred.
  • Ability to learn quickly, solve complex problems and have excellent data analysis/interpretation skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
  • Being a self-starter and able to respond creatively and simply to continuous change and steady growth environment.
  • Thrive in a fast-paced environment where the primary focus is on simplification and optimization.

Choose Plantible Foods

Joining Plantible means contributing to a sustainable future for all. We are a venture backed startup that is both spreading happiness amongst our employees and to current and future generations. We believe diversity creates uniqueness. Our team is composed of highly talented people with different interests and hobbies, which makes for a rich working environment.

At Plantible we are continually working on our offerings to foster the best team. Check it out!

  • Competitive health and wellness benefits
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Discretionary Unlimited PTO Program
  • Paid Holidays
  • 401k Program
  • Career Stipend
  • Career development and growth opportunities
  • Working in a rapidly growing, flexible and entrepreneurial environment
  • Team building and company-wide events
  • Financial support with your relocation, if necessary, ensuring a smooth transition

Plantible Foods is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, liability for military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are interested in learning the status of your application, please note you will be contacted directly by the appropriate human resources contact person if you are selected for further consideration. Plantible Foods reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.

If you feel your skill set does not meet all listed qualifications for the role, we still encourage you to apply. As we continue to grow our company, we are seeking a range of candidates and would gladly consider you for other current or upcoming roles that may be a fit!