Process Development AssociateProcess Development Associate
Vow is a cultured meat company on a mission to feed billions and create food that’s good for your tastebuds, your health and your planet. We’re bringing together cutting edge innovations in science, engineering, culinary and design to create new meats that meat lovers can choose selfishly because it’s nutritious and delicious, and we’re doing so in a sustainable way. Want to join us?
Vow is a cultured meat company on a mission to feed billions and create food that’s good for your tastebuds, your health and your planet. We’re bringing together cutting edge innovations in science, engineering, culinary and design to create new meats that meat lovers can choose selfishly because it’s nutritious and delicious, and we’re doing so in a sustainable way. Want to join us?
The Role+
We’re looking for a Process Development Associate to design and test mammalian cell culture bioprocesses at a benchtop scale to join our rapidly growing food company.
You’ll work directly with operators on the factory floor, scientists, and other technical team members to design and test scalable & efficient cell culture processes to produce cultured meat. You will get to use a range of kit at different scales, from ambr15, to 2L stirred tank reactors, to rocking motion reactors, and design processes for 200-20,000L production reactors which are on site.
In this role you will have the opportunity to work alongside incredible mechanical, automation, software, hardware engineers, process development scientists, procurement and supply chain specialists, designers and culinary specialists who are relentlessly passionate about food and creating delicious products in a sustainable way.
We’re looking for a Process Development Associate to design and test mammalian cell culture bioprocesses at a benchtop scale to join our rapidly growing food company.
You’ll work directly with operators on the factory floor, scientists, and other technical team members to design and test scalable & efficient cell culture processes to produce cultured meat. You will get to use a range of kit at different scales, from ambr15, to 2L stirred tank reactors, to rocking motion reactors, and design processes for 200-20,000L production reactors which are on site.
In this role you will have the opportunity to work alongside incredible mechanical, automation, software, hardware engineers, process development scientists, procurement and supply chain specialists, designers and culinary specialists who are relentlessly passionate about food and creating delicious products in a sustainable way.
Your Experience+
- Relevant bachelor's degree with 2-5 years of experience in process sciences or manufacturing in mammalian, bacterial or yeast fermentation
- Competence in aseptic technique, mammalian seed train maintenance, media and buffer preparation, and using lab equipment including laminar flow hoods, incubators, autoclaves
- Knowledge of bioreactors or control systems, and familiarity with cell culture instrumentation including cell count, basic metabolites, pH, gassing
- Demonstrated organizational, record-keeping, and problem-solving skills, with an attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication
- Demonstrated success working independently as well as in a team environment
- Ability to act with agility and juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- We are looking for candidates who can work autonomously and always feel empowered to find better and faster ways to do things, and think outside of the box
- Comfortable with basic data, statistical analysis, and plot generation; applying tools such as Excel, JMP, or Prism
- Nice to have: understanding of design of experiment (DOE)
- Relevant bachelor's degree with 2-5 years of experience in process sciences or manufacturing in mammalian, bacterial or yeast fermentation
- Competence in aseptic technique, mammalian seed train maintenance, media and buffer preparation, and using lab equipment including laminar flow hoods, incubators, autoclaves
- Knowledge of bioreactors or control systems, and familiarity with cell culture instrumentation including cell count, basic metabolites, pH, gassing
- Demonstrated organizational, record-keeping, and problem-solving skills, with an attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal skills including verbal and written communication
- Demonstrated success working independently as well as in a team environment
- Ability to act with agility and juggle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- We are looking for candidates who can work autonomously and always feel empowered to find better and faster ways to do things, and think outside of the box
- Comfortable with basic data, statistical analysis, and plot generation; applying tools such as Excel, JMP, or Prism
- Nice to have: understanding of design of experiment (DOE)
What you'll do+
- Carry out seed train preparation, including vial revival, medium preparation, shake flask culture maintenance, and cell banking
- Carry out bioreactor setup and cleanup, preparing sub-assemblies and lines, autoclave operation, cleaning and coordinating equipment and laboratory space
- Carry out bioreactor operation and management including operating controllers, troubleshooting behavior, and processing samples
- Independently plan, review and execute experiments, record data and prepare documentation such as reports and SOPs
- Contribute to project ideation and experimental design for how upstream processes and approaches can introduce different product qualities or characteristics
- Contribute to process design, process optimisation, continuous optimisation, scale-up/scale-out, and technology transfer into manufacturing in close collaboration with, manufacturing engineering, new product introduction, and manufacturing quality teams.
- Identify and drive continuous improvement of workflows, protocols and capabilities
- Carry out seed train preparation, including vial revival, medium preparation, shake flask culture maintenance, and cell banking
- Carry out bioreactor setup and cleanup, preparing sub-assemblies and lines, autoclave operation, cleaning and coordinating equipment and laboratory space
- Carry out bioreactor operation and management including operating controllers, troubleshooting behavior, and processing samples
- Independently plan, review and execute experiments, record data and prepare documentation such as reports and SOPs
- Contribute to project ideation and experimental design for how upstream processes and approaches can introduce different product qualities or characteristics
- Contribute to process design, process optimisation, continuous optimisation, scale-up/scale-out, and technology transfer into manufacturing in close collaboration with, manufacturing engineering, new product introduction, and manufacturing quality teams.
- Identify and drive continuous improvement of workflows, protocols and capabilities
Success is+
During your first month, you will have successfully integrated into the process development team. By the end of this period, you will have:
- Developed a solid understanding of Vow’s upstream manufacturing processes, including trade-offs, pain points, and what is possible and practical
- Gained insight into the structure of different teams at Vow and how they interact
- Acquired an awareness of the company’s goals and how process development projects align with and contribute to them
- Demonstrated the ability to operate independently in the R&D lab, effectively using Vow’s systems (in-house developed lab management software, LIMS etc) and understanding the associated workflows
- Provided support on wet-lab projects
Within three months you will have
- Delivered on multiple projects and contributed to discussions on what work should be prioritised versus archived or paused
- Reached a level of proficiency in operating various equipment as outlined in a training matrix
By the end of your first year at Vow you will have
- Made significant contributions to the design and implementation of new or improved production processes for current and future products
- You will have helped train and mentor a growing team of research technicians
During your first month, you will have successfully integrated into the process development team. By the end of this period, you will have:
- Developed a solid understanding of Vow’s upstream manufacturing processes, including trade-offs, pain points, and what is possible and practical
- Gained insight into the structure of different teams at Vow and how they interact
- Acquired an awareness of the company’s goals and how process development projects align with and contribute to them
- Demonstrated the ability to operate independently in the R&D lab, effectively using Vow’s systems (in-house developed lab management software, LIMS etc) and understanding the associated workflows
- Provided support on wet-lab projects
Within three months you will have
- Delivered on multiple projects and contributed to discussions on what work should be prioritised versus archived or paused
- Reached a level of proficiency in operating various equipment as outlined in a training matrix
By the end of your first year at Vow you will have
- Made significant contributions to the design and implementation of new or improved production processes for current and future products
- You will have helped train and mentor a growing team of research technicians
A diverse, mission-led, dream team of Vowzers
Our mission is to feed billions, which means making food products for everyone. To do this we need a team that’s representative of the people we serve. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view and have built a culture to match. Be yourself and come as you are.
Our mission is to feed billions, which means making food products for everyone. To do this we need a team that’s representative of the people we serve. We celebrate multiple approaches and points of view and have built a culture to match. Be yourself and come as you are.
Learn from the best
Our team includes some of the world’s top scientists, innovators, operators, and creatives with decades of industry experience. Despite our experiences, we all strive to build, break, learn, and repeat. We see the impossible as temporary and strive to learn and support our company and fellow Vowzers' growth as much as possible.
Our team includes some of the world’s top scientists, innovators, operators, and creatives with decades of industry experience. Despite our experiences, we all strive to build, break, learn, and repeat. We see the impossible as temporary and strive to learn and support our company and fellow Vowzers' growth as much as possible.
Cutting-edge technology
We’re bringing together innovations in science, engineering, and food, to create the world’s most unique culinary experiences. All without compromising on ethics or our planet. Since our inception in 2019, we have held the title of being the first startup to cultivate meat from the cells of an undomesticated animal. We're wild because we can be.
We’re bringing together innovations in science, engineering, and food, to create the world’s most unique culinary experiences. All without compromising on ethics or our planet. Since our inception in 2019, we have held the title of being the first startup to cultivate meat from the cells of an undomesticated animal. We're wild because we can be.
Backed by the best
We can make a real impact thanks to our investors Blackbird Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Grok Ventures, Tenacious Ventures, P7 Ventures, Toyota Ventures and PeakBridge VC.
We can make a real impact thanks to our investors Blackbird Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Grok Ventures, Tenacious Ventures, P7 Ventures, Toyota Ventures and PeakBridge VC.
Perks &
Perks
Perks &
Perks
Everyone is an owner
In addition to competitive base salaries, each and every ‘Vowzer’ owns equity in the company so we can all benefit from our hard work and future success.
In addition to competitive base salaries, each and every ‘Vowzer’ owns equity in the company so we can all benefit from our hard work and future success.
Generous paid parental leave
For those who choose to start a family, we offer 8 weeks of paid caregiver leave and an additional 8 weeks paid leave for the birth giver.
For those who choose to start a family, we offer 8 weeks of paid caregiver leave and an additional 8 weeks paid leave for the birth giver.
Generous relocation budget & support
We offer support for interstate or overseas team members, their families and, of course, their pets.
We offer support for interstate or overseas team members, their families and, of course, their pets.
Flexible working hours and location
We value work-life balance and we recognise that everyone works differently. We want you to do your best work, so you can choose how and where you do it.
We value work-life balance and we recognise that everyone works differently. We want you to do your best work, so you can choose how and where you do it.
Unlimited personal leave
Sometimes you need time off to recuperate, look after your mental health, or simply deal with an emergency. We put unlimited personal leave in place to empower you to bring your best self to work every day.
Sometimes you need time off to recuperate, look after your mental health, or simply deal with an emergency. We put unlimited personal leave in place to empower you to bring your best self to work every day.
Heaps of tasty samples from our culinary centre
Our fantastic "food inventors" on the Vow team are always cooking up new product prototypes, and all Vowzers are given the opportunity to taste, give feedback, and learn from their culinary prowess.
Our fantastic "food inventors" on the Vow team are always cooking up new product prototypes, and all Vowzers are given the opportunity to taste, give feedback, and learn from their culinary prowess.
Converted warehouse 'campus'
Complete with a glass-walled lab, manufacturing lines, snacks, a culinary centre and professional-grade coffee machine.
Complete with a glass-walled lab, manufacturing lines, snacks, a culinary centre and professional-grade coffee machine.
A variety of social clubs
It's Vowzers who make our culture. From book clubs to hiking groups, we’re always looking for ways to learn and engage with each other.
It's Vowzers who make our culture. From book clubs to hiking groups, we’re always looking for ways to learn and engage with each other.
Human and dog friendly office
An inclusive community and culture, in a welcoming office, we encourage you to bring your true self…and your dogs.
An inclusive community and culture, in a welcoming office, we encourage you to bring your true self…and your dogs.