Scientist I - Ingredient Discovery

About the role

Location: San Diego, CA (Onsite full-time required)

Summary

As a member of the Ingredient Discovery team, you will develop, optimize, and execute biological assays to characterize novel ingredients and evaluate their activity across a range of skincare claim territories. This role requires a strong foundation in molecular and cellular biology, with the ability to leverage established methodologies as well as develop new experimental approaches to investigate ingredient functionality.

The successful candidate will independently drive experimental work from assay design and development through validation and hands-on execution, owning experimental planning, troubleshooting, and the timely generation of high-quality, reproducible data.

Working collaboratively with multiple teams at Debut, you will help translate biological insights into functional evidence that supports ingredient innovation and product development.

Essential Functions

• Design, develop, optimize, and execute in vitro assays to characterize novel ingredients across diverse skincare claim territories.
• Independently plan and execute experimental studies using appropriate cellular models, including primary cells, co-cultures, and 3D models.
• Perform routine cell culture and molecular biology techniques, including maintenance and expansion of primary and established cell lines.
• Develop and execute assays using techniques such as gene expression analysis, cell viability, reporter assays, flow cytometry, and ELISA.
• Troubleshoot and optimize experimental methods to ensure assay robustness, reproducibility, and timely data generation.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data while maintaining accurate laboratory records.
• Identify new biological targets and assay methodologies to expand ingredient screening capabilities.
• Communicate experimental findings and scientific insights to cross-functional stakeholders.

Education and Experience

• PhD in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biology, or a related field; alternatively, MS with 6+ years or BS with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in mammalian cell culture and development, optimization, and execution of in vitro biological assays.
• Proficiency in molecular and cellular biology techniques, including gene expression analysis, flow cytometry, fluorescence imaging, luciferase reporter assays, and ELISA.
• Experience independently planning, executing, and troubleshooting laboratory experiments.
• Experience working with 3D reconstructed tissue models is a plus.
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) and assay validation is a plus.
• Experience evaluating skincare active ingredients and understanding skin biology is highly desirable.

Essential Physical Characteristics

• Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck.
• Frequent: sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers, and copiers.
• Frequently uses hands to feel objects or control tools (e.g., pipetting). Laboratory operations require dexterity and care to perform studies as required.
• Occasional: walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and occasional lifting and carrying of files or material weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be willing to work with biohazardous agents (up to BSL2) and chemicals.
• The R&D laboratory will result in exposure to hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, limited dust, and oily coolants.
• The performance of this position will present exposure to an industrial environment and requires support and compliance with the published Company PPE policy, including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields, appropriate attire, safety shoes, hard hat, hearing protection, etc.

Condition of Employment

• As part of Debut's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check prior to beginning employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.
• Salary: $90,000 - $120,000