About us
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 delicious meat, made without the need to raise and slaughter billions of animals. In doing so, the company aims to address some of the most pressing environmental, animal welfare, and public health challenges, while still giving people the meat they love.
Founded as the world’s first cultivated meat company in 2015, UPSIDE Foods (formerly Memphis Meats) has achieved numerous industry-defining milestones, including being the first company to produce multiple species of meat (beef, chicken, and duck) and to sell a cultivated meat product in the United States. The company believes that people shouldn’t have to choose between the foods they love and a thriving planet, and is working to build a better food system with access to delicious, humane, and sustainable meat, poultry, and seafood.
UPSIDE Foods has won various industry awards, including New York Times’ Good Tech Awards, FastCo’s Next Big Thing in Tech and World Changing Ideas Awards, and the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation by the National Association for Business Resources. UPSIDE Foods has raised a total of $608 million, including from the Abu Dhabi Growth Fund (ADG), Baillie Gifford, Bill Gates, Cargill, John Doerr, John Mackey, Kimbal and Christiana Musk, Norwest, Richard Branson, Softbank, Temasek, Threshold, Tyson Foods, and others.
About this job
UPSIDE has grown fast over the last few years, and the momentum continues! The Bioprocess Technician II will support cultivation of cell-based meat, as well as other laboratory and bioprocess operations. The Bioprocess Core Team is made up of operational experts, who specialize in the execution of process development experiments. The ideal candidate will carry out assigned tasks according to SOPs, enthusiastically voice ideas for process improvements, and be a flexible team player. Together, we can change the future of food.
Responsibilities include
- Performing aseptic cell and tissue culture techniques in a biosafety cabinet (BSC).
- Preparing media and buffer solutions.
- Maintaining and operating bioreactors and cultivators.
- Performing routine maintenance on equipment.
- Recording data and observations into electronic laboratory notebooks and/or batch records.
- Drafting new and continuously improving SOPs.
- Maintaining process specific inventory of parts and consumables.
- Adhering to and enforcing good lab practices, including cleanliness, safety (PPE), and waste handling; taking immediate action to correct any potential safety issues.
About you
- B.S./B.A., preferably in Life Sciences or Engineering with 2 years of experience in a bioprocess development or manufacturing operations environment. Or A.S. in a science-related subject with 5 years experience in a bioprocess development or manufacturing operations environment.
- Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
- Finds the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
- Makes sense of complex and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Actively seeks new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
Who you’ll work with
- Bioprocess Core technicians operating experiments and working in the lab with you.
- Laboratory Assistants who will support you and others with routine tasks and lab upkeep.
- Process Development researchers, scientists, and engineers advising or executing more complex experiments in the lab.
- The separate “Lab Operations” group who can help you implement systems that you will then maintain.
- Cell Culture Media group, which may advise/collaborate with you on media and/or stock solution prep, storage, labeling, etc.
Key Contributions in First Year
Compensation Range: $31/hr - $38/hr*
- Pay may vary depending on factors including job-related knowledge and skills.
UPSIDE Benefits!
- Stock options for all full-time incoming team members!
- 90-100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for team members (medical [including HSA and FSA], dental, and vision)
- Pet insurance for your furry family members!
- 3 Weeks PTO Accrued Annually
- DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Council and People Engagement Programs
- Company-sponsored learning & development opportunities
UPSIDE Foods is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Our company-wide mission is to create a product for everyone, so we are deeply committed to having teams and leaders that reflect this mission.