Help us make real dairy without cows. Mozza Foods is an early-stage Los Angeles biotech company engineering plants to produce bovine milk proteins, taking on two of the most pressing issues of our time: climate change and animal welfare.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a collaborative, detail-oriented scientist to join our molecular biology team. You will design and run experiments to optimize the expression of recombinant dairy proteins in plants, taking projects from construct design through transformation and expression analysis.

This is an entry-level PhD position. It is a great fit for a scientist who has completed a doctorate and is ready to apply their training in a fast-moving startup environment. No postdoctoral or industry experience is required; you will work alongside and learn from our senior scientific staff while owning your own experiments from day one.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

- Design, execute, and document experiments to optimize novel protein expression in plants

- Design and assemble plasmids using standard cloning strategies (PCR, Gibson/Golden Gate or similar, gel electrophoresis)

- Perform nucleic acid purification, plant tissue culture, and plant transformation

- Analyze expression data, maintain rigorous records in our electronic lab notebook, and present results at team meetings

- Collaborate closely with scientists across the company and contribute to a strong culture of lab safety

- Troubleshoot protocols and help improve and standardize our methods

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

- PhD in Plant Biology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field (degree completed, or all degree requirements completed by your start date)

- Hands-on graduate research experience with standard molecular biology techniques, such as molecular cloning, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and RNA/DNA purification

- Working knowledge of genetic design software and scientific databases (e.g., Benchling, SnapGene, NCBI tools)

- Strong experimental design skills and careful, well-documented lab practice

- Excellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and on a team

- Enthusiasm for our mission of building a more sustainable, animal-free food system

NICE TO HAVE (NOT REQUIRED)

- Experience with plant tissue culture and transformation (e.g., Agrobacterium-mediated or biolistic methods)

- Experience with protein extraction and analysis (SDS-PAGE, western blot, ELISA)

- A record of peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations from your graduate work

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

- Annual salary: $80,000 - $95,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time, exempt position.

- Medical, dental, and vision insurance

- 401(k)

- Long-term disability insurance

- Paid time off

- Stock options

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a fully on-site laboratory role at our Los Angeles facility. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support time-sensitive experiments.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Candidates with existing employment authorization, including F-1 OPT/STEM OPT, are welcome to apply. Mozza is unable to sponsor employment visas (such as H-1B) now or in the future.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Mozza Foods is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Mozza Foods will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

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