Research Associate II

Overview

Based in Berkeley, CA, UPSIDE Foods grows meat, poultry, and seafood directly from real animal cells. These products are not vegan or vegetarian—they are meat, made without the need to raise and slaughter billions of animals. UPSIDE Foods aims to address environmental, animal welfare, and public health challenges while offering the meat people love.

Founded as the world’s first cultivated meat company in 2015, UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats) has achieved milestones including producing multiple species of meat (beef, chicken, and duck) and selling a cultivated meat product in the United States. The company is working to build a better food system with accessible, humane, and sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood.

This Research Associate II will support bioprocess development activities that enable scale-relevant cell culture characterization. The role focuses on building, operating, and improving automated and high-throughput suspension cell culture workflows, and executing experiments in controlled bench-scale bioreactors.

This is a hands-on, laboratory-based role requiring daily experimental execution, data analysis, and clear communication of results. The Research Associate II is expected to independently run experiments, troubleshoot issues, and apply critical thinking to interpret data and propose next steps. Success in this role requires strong organization, adaptability in a fast-paced environment, and effective collaboration with cross-functional partners to translate experimental insights into broader R&D and manufacturing decisions.

• Upstream Process Development and Cell Culture Execution:
  Execute suspension cell culture experiments in bench-scale bioreactors to generate process data; perform routine cell culture assays and support process optimization and robustness studies.
• Experimental Design, Data Analysis, and Reporting:
  Design experiments, collect and analyze data using statistical and visualization tools, and document results. Present findings and recommendations in team and cross-functional meetings.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Partner with Cell Line Development, Media Development, Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), Manufacturing, and Food R&D teams to support cross-functional data generation and product understanding.

• B.S. in a relevant scientific/technical area with 2+ years of relevant work experience, A.S. with 4+ years, or M.S. in a relevant area.
• Hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture processes; experience with suspension cell culture in controlled bioreactor systems is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in experimental design, statistical analysis (e.g., JMP), and data visualization or reporting tools (e.g., Tableau or equivalent).
• Strong background in experimental data analysis, interpretation, and technical documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present and discuss results clearly. Ability to work in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.

This role is part of the Process Development team and collaborates with Cell Line Development, Media Development, MSAT, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Food R&D to understand how process and culture parameters impact the final food product.

Compensation Range: $75,000-$85,000 per year

* Pay may vary depending on factors including job-related knowledge and skills.

• Stock options for all full-time incoming team members
• Employer-paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical, dental, vision) with HSA/FSA options
• Pet insurance for your furry family members
• Unlimited PTO
• Company-sponsored learning and development opportunities

UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and continually seek to improve our ability to attract, hire, and promote a diverse workforce.