Bioreactor/Tissue Engineer (Biomaterials/Scaffold Expert)

Animal Alternative Technologies (AAT) is a recently founded biotechnology B2B start-up based at the University of Cambridge. We are engineering a scalable, end-to-end Cultured Meat production system, including bioprocesses, enabling technologies, software, hardware and raw materials to empower food producers worldwide to make their own cultivated meats tailored to local tastes and desired specifications. Our mission is to democratize access to sustainable food and tackle some of the world's most significant sustainability and food security challenges.

Tasks

We are a rapidly growing cultured meat start-up looking for a Bioreactor/Tissue

Engineer with specialist expertise in developing bioreactors or fluidic

(dynamic) devices incorporating scaffolds for growing adherent mammalian

cells to join our core team! You will be flexible and able to handle rapidly changing

priorities on a range of cross-functional projects. You are an independent problem

solver who enjoys working in fast-paced environments. As a senior scientist and

early team member, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our technology and the

company's direction.

Responsibilites:

• Designing, fabricating, assembling, validating and using bioreactors with scaffolds for adherent cells.
• Scaffold fabrication/generation using techniques like electrospinning, etc.
• Cell culture within scaffolds
• Characterisation of scaffolds using various analytical techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), tensile and other mechanical testing, XPS, etc.
• Planning, efficient execution, comprehensive analysis and presentation of experimental data.
• Coordination of engineering projects.

Requirements

Essential:

• Minimum Bachelor s degree in a relevant subject such as Biomaterials Sciences, Tissue Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Biotechnology, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or Bioengineering.
• PhD or at least 3 years of relevant work experience beyond Bachelor s/Master s
• Hands-on experience in designing, fabricating/building, and assembling bioreactors incorporating scaffolds for adherent cells or fluidic (dynamic) devices with scaffolds for adherent cells. This may include in vitro models or Organ-on-a-Chip devices where mammalian cells are grown within scaffolds under flowing media. This work ideally needs to have been mostly done independently (with minimal reliance on a workshop or other such entity).
• Scaffold fabrication using techniques such as electrospinning, soft lithography, injection moulding, freeze-drying, etc.
• Characterisation of scaffolds or hydrogels using various analytical techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), tensile and other mechanical testing, XPS, etc.
• Adherent mammalian cell culture in 3D within scaffolds under flow
• Commonly used techniques for characterising cells, such as immunostaining, qPCR, etc.

Desirable (at least 4 or more):

• Operation and validation of bioreactors for cells
• Hydrogel development and organogenesis
• General fabrication techniques such as prototyping, 3D CAD, 3D printing, metal works (eg. soldering), etc.
• Computational modelling of fluid dynamics (Computational Fluid Dyanmics -CFD), cell growth and other phenomena within scaffolds
• Sourcing and procurement of materials and equipment for biomaterials, scaffolds and devices.
• PhD in a relevant subject.
• Senior applicants with over 5-10 years of experience are welcome and will have the opportunity to lead a small team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and stock options.
• 30 days holiday and pension plan.
• Potential for excellent career progression as part a multi-disciplinary team, all leaders in their fields.
• Contribute to the development of cultured meat using cutting-edge technologies to help tackle sustainability and food security challenges.
• Work in facilities at the world-renowned, historical University of Cambridge which has produced the most Nobel Laureates.
• We are backed by the Cambridge Judge Business School and the world's leading food-tech VCs.

AAT is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
We are committed to creating inclusive teams and providing a work
environment for all to be themselves.

Please attach your CV and a cover letter.We look forward to hearing from you!