Quality Control Associate

About Us

Who doesn’t love meat? Summer BBQs and friends around the campfire enjoying a succulent, delicious burger, packed with protein. Yep, meat rocks. The only problem is meat comes with baggage—greenhouse gasses, environmental degradation, nutritional concerns, and the welfare of animals. But what if the meat we love could be a force for good, helping to reverse these challenges?

Omeat's mission is to pioneer game-changing solutions to the health, environmental, and animal welfare challenges posed by animal agriculture. We’re developing a scalable approach to producing cultured meat – meat grown from cells, outside the animal -- that's every bit as delicious and nourishing as conventional meat.

We are led by Ali Khademhosseini, one of the top tissue engineers in the world, previously at Harvard and MIT for 16 years. We’re looking for team members who want to change history. Fellow visionaries ready to sink their teeth into one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, creating a new future -- a future full of hope with clear-running streams, teeming oceans, thriving wildlife, and healthy communities. Are you in?

Job Summary

This role is responsible for conducting molecular microbiology research in the area of cultivated meat products. The primary focus is to help with understanding and measuring quality metrics of our food products for safety and consistency and applying this knowledge to existing and new products. Daily interaction with the R&D and other teams in the plant is expected.

Responsibilities

• Perform all required microbiological and analytical procedures responsible for product and food safety.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a microbiological testing program as aligned with GFSI or cGMP benchmark audit standards. Familiarity with ISO 17025 standards and execution preferred. 
• Provide a technical resource to lead or support projects relating to microbiology, sterilization, and validation of ingredients, processes, and equipment.
• Maintain inventory management of QC lab-approved supplies and equipment.
• Monitor both FDA and USDA industry-related standards through methods, inspection regimens, post-market compliance plans, and adverse event (Recall/Withdrawal) reporting associated with the Omeat.
• Ensure Omeat QC laboratory is clean, sanitary, and well-organized and that micro equipment maintenance operations are performed.
• Partner with the FSQA team and plant management to plan and conduct investigations in response to non-conforming microbiological results.
• Develop a risk-based approach to evaluate and continuously improve with a strong understanding of cGLP and cGMP practices within a laboratory environment.
• Provide a technical resource for evaluating alternate sterilization technologies, contamination control, and process monitoring.
• Provide Omeat support in future automation and method application, and future QMS/ LIMS systems data entry.
• Work closely with our leaders on our science and quality team for testing, quality, and data analytics for reporting and data integrity. 

Requirements

• Minimum bachelor's degree in a relevant field (microbiology, food science, or related field.
• At least 3-5 years experience in both standard and automated microbiological methods in bacteria, fungal, and viral detection with at least 1 year in a lead role. This can be a combination of work and research experience to full requirements.
• Proficient in preventive controls for food safety (FSPCA) and hazard analysis in food -HACCP
• Knowledge of food manufacturing and the ability to perform chemical and microbiological analyses associated with FSMA, FSIS, and HACCP programs.
• The ability to communicate effectively and solve complex problems clearly, both orally and in writing, with scientific and non-scientific personnel.
• Familiarity with various LIMS, Q-PCR, Spectrophotometry, and microscopic identifications.
• Experience and working knowledge of continuous improvement processes as well as the ability to effectively collaborate with other departments, suppliers, and customers.
• Able to carry up to 40 pounds. Ability to stand up for long periods of time while monitoring operations and performing daily tasks. 
• Able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (safety glasses, gloves, footwear, lab coats, or coveralls) daily, as well as hearing and dust protection as needed.

Additional Details

• Typical work week: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:00 pm
• Work environment working in a cold, sterile lab setting, working on a lab top for an extended period. 
• Reports to Director of Quality Assurance
• Based in Thousand Oaks