We are looking for a Media Optimisation Scientist with deep curiosity about cell nutrition and a systematic approach to experimental work — someone who understands that getting the medium right is one of the most powerful levers available for improving the performance, cost, and scalability of cultivated meat production.

Cell culture media is at the heart of everything Meatly does. The composition of our media — every amino acid, vitamin, and supplement — directly determines how well our cells grow, how consistently they perform, and what it will ultimately cost to produce cultivated meat at scale. As a Media Optimisation Scientist, you will work within the media optimisation and quality control function of R&D, reporting to the Media Optimisation & QC Lead, to systematically investigate, develop, and improve the media formulations that support Meatly's production processes.

Your work will span the full media development cycle: from screening of individual components and combinations, through structured optimisation studies, to the qualification of new formulations for use in production. You will work in close collaboration with the process development to ensure that media development is grounded in a clear understanding of cellular requirements, and that new formulations integrate effectively into Meatly's wider production processes.

We are seeking a scientist who can seamlessly move between experimental design and hands-on cell culture work, applying both analytical rigour and innovation to optimize cell feeding strategies for performance, cost, and consistency.

Key Responsibilities

Media Screening & Optimisation

• Design and execute systematic screening experiments to evaluate the effect of individual media components on cell growth, viability, and metabolic performance
• Apply cell based assays to efficiently interrogate multi-component media formulations and identify optimal compositions and component interactions
• Develop and test serum-free and chemically defined media formulations, with a focus on reducing cost, improving consistency, and meeting regulatory requirements for food-grade production
• Investigate media feeding strategies — including bolus feeding, continuous feeding, and perfusion-compatible formulations — in collaboration with the process development team
• Conduct systematic comparisons of commercial basal media, supplements, and raw materials to identify performance differences and cost-reduction opportunities

Analytical Methods & Quality Control

• Develop and apply analytical methods for the characterisation of media formulations, including nutrient profiling, pH and osmolality measurement, and assessment of media stability
• Perform routine quality control testing of media batches, raw materials, and supplements in support of the broader QC programme led by the Media Optimisation & QC Lead
• Investigate media-related quality deviations and batch failures, applying root cause analysis to identify sources of variability and implement corrective actions
• Contribute to the development of in-process controls and release testing criteria for media used in production

Cell-Based Performance Assessment

• Design and execute cell culture experiments to evaluate the performance of new or modified media formulations under conditions representative of Meatly's production processes
• Interpret cell culture performance data — including growth kinetics, metabolic profiles, viability, and product quality attributes — in the context of media composition, identifying mechanistic links between formulation and biological response

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree in biochemistry, cell biology, biotechnology, bioprocess science, or a closely related discipline; MSc is preferred, or equivalent research or industry experience
• Strong practical experience in mammalian cell culture, with a solid understanding of cell nutritional requirements, growth factor signalling, and the relationship between media composition and cell behaviour
• Demonstrable experience in cell culture media development, optimisation, or component screening
• Experience applying design of experiments (DoE) or other systematic approaches to multi-variable experimental optimisation
• Familiarity with standard cell culture analytics including viability assays, metabolite measurement, and osmolality
• Good quantitative data analysis skills, comfortable working with experimental datasets using Python, R, Excel, or equivalent tools
• Strong written communication skills — able to write clear formulation records, experimental reports, and SOPs
• A systematic, evidence-based approach to experimental design and interpretation, with strong attention to detail

Desirable

• Experience developing serum-free or chemically defined media formulations for mammalian cell culture
• Experience in cultivated meat, cell-based food production, or the broader alternative protein sector
• Knowledge of media cost modelling or experience evaluating media components against cost-of-goods targets
• Experience with analytical techniques for media characterisation, including metabolomics, amino acid profiling, or HPLC
• Familiarity with quality control frameworks and raw material qualification processes in a regulated or semi-regulated environment
• Exposure to UK novel food regulatory frameworks (FSA/FSS) or equivalent, particularly as they relate to media components and food safety
• Experience in an early-stage biotech or translational research environment

What We Offer

• £30-45k salary commensurate with experience + up to 20% bonus depending on performance
• Equity participation in a high-growth, mission-driven company
• 32 days’ holiday a year, including bank holidays. Use holiday to take bank holidays off or work them and use the days at another time; it’s up to you
• Pension, and private healthcare
• Learning & development budget, including support for relevant training, courses, and conferences
• Mentorship and career development within a growing, world-class R&D team
• Access to well-equipped laboratory and bioprocessing facilities
• The opportunity to do scientifically meaningful work on processes that are genuinely novel — and that will help define how cultivated meat is made at scale

Meatly is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.