Research Associate

About Food System Innovations

Food System Innovations (FSI) is a philanthropic impact platform investing in a humane and sustainable future of food. FSI accelerates the transition to sustainable proteins by uniting science, markets, and society to create better food choices for everyone.

About The Sustainable Protein Action Lab

FSI operates a diversity of programs including the Sustainable Protein Action Lab, a nonprofit innovation lab focused on accelerating the transition to a more sustainable and humane food system through high-impact scientific research. We’re building a first-of-its-kind discovery platform to reveal the hidden potential of plant proteins.

We believe food should be delicious, nourishing, and kind to the planet. To make that future possible, we need to build the foundational knowledge that connects protein science to real-world food applications—from stretchable cheeses to stable foams.

Role Overview 

As the Protein Discovery Research Associate, you will be at the heart of the lab, playing a pivotal role in exploring how proteins behave and capturing that knowledge for the entire field. You will be essential to building our first-of-its-kind discovery platform and creating the foundational knowledge base to power better, more sustainable foods. Reporting to the Associate Scientist, you will support the lab’s core mission by executing rigorous experiments, generating high-quality data, and contributing to a collaborative, discovery-driven environment. This is a hands-on scientific role ideal for someone who is motivated by curiosity and wants their work to matter outside the lab.

Key Responsibilities

Experimental Execution:

• Prepare protein extracts from diverse plant-based crops according to established protocols.
• Execute a wide range of functional assays to test protein properties, including solubility, foaming, gelation, emulsification, textural properties, and water-holding capacity.
• Operate and maintain specialized laboratory equipment, such as the Texture Analyzer, particle size analyzer, and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC).

Data Management & Integrity:

• Meticulously record all experimental results with high precision, ensuring the dataset is reliable, reproducible, and "ML-ready."
• Maintain accurate and detailed lab notebooks and data records.

Collaboration & Lab Support:

• Work closely with the scientific team to troubleshoot experimental challenges and optimize protocols as needed.
• Collaborate with teammates to support the lab's overall research goals and data generation pipeline.
• Contribute to a culture of rigor, curiosity, and impact.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Biology, Biochemistry, Food Science, or a related scientific field.
• Hands-on lab experience (academic or industry) with a clear enjoyment for "time at the bench."
• Eagerness to learn new assays and laboratory techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to meticulously follow protocols and execute repetitive workflows to ensure high data quality.
• A strong interest in food, sustainability, or the bigger picture of science-for-impact.

Nice to Have:

• Direct experience with protein extraction or functional food assays.
• Familiarity with SDS-PAGE, particle size analysis, or zeta potential analysis.
• Prior experience in a startup, academic research, or other fast-paced lab environment.

FSI offers a competitive benefits package that includes full medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401k plan, work phone and internet reimbursement, companion animal benefits, unlimited PTO, 11 paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid parental leave, and flexible work hours.

Salary

$70,000 - $85,000, based on experience.

Location 

The lab is based in Berkeley, California. This is an onsite position, with occasional travel required for meetings and events.

Eligibility

The successful applicant should be legally able to work in the United States. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. See here for additional information.

Equal Opportunity

FSI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.