Research Technologist

Come own the scientific process for demonstrating a new technology's shelf life extension potential.

About Us

We’re building the next generation of food storage systems for the household. We're unreasonably passionate about using hardware and data science to make food last longer, to help people manage what they have, and to get the food they want, when they want it. We're reinventing a category that's nearly a century old.

The CEO and Founder of Edesia previously also co-founded, led product at, and scaled a multi-billion dollar technology company that has won numerous awards, including being named the #1 Best Place To Work In Seattle (more than once).

Learn more about Edesia, our focus, as well as our core values and how we operate on our careers page.

Where You'd Fit In

You’re going to help us determine the optimal storage conditions for fruits and vegetables inside the systems we’re engineering.

As our first scientist hire, you’re going to build this practice up from the foundations (don’t worry, we’ll help). You’ll be working with the CEO to plan research, with Postharvest PhDs to to validate the process and results, and with engineers to work on improvements to the systems you’ll be using every day.

Heads up - this isn't an academic role. You'll be moving quickly, working hands on with real cutting-edge technology, delivering valuable research that will tangibly inform the direction of the company.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Founder/CEO to agree on the priority of the experiments to run, and the performance vectors we want to focus on measuring/achieving.
• Produce your own OKRs to ladder up to the company-level OKRs, and explicitly call-out non-goals to keep your focus clear at all times.
• Design research plans, implement them and execute them according to the defined standard operating procedures.
• Source produce samples for testing, then filter and sort for equivalent quality prior to experiment.
• Produce research summaries, and solicit feedback from postharvest experts.
• Manage the workspace including scientific testing equipment. Ensure lab safety protocols are followed.
• Provide feedback to engineering on systems designs.

Compensation

This role is eligible for equity and benefits. The salary for this role in the state of Washington is between $60,000 and $85,000.

This salary range may depend on factors including but not limited to skills, prior relevant experience, and leveling. Hired applicant is also eligible to receive equity grants in the form of either a direct grant of stock or an option to purchase stock in the future for a specified price.

What We're Looking For

Simply put, we're looking for somebody who has a foundation in the scientific process, familiarity with evaluating qualitative attributes of produce samples, who can learn extremely quickly, and who is eager to roll up their sleeves and deliver on big goals.

General

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication.
• Intellectual curiosity, an ability to develop domain expertise quickly and independently.
• Comfortability in shifting gears quickly when necessary, and pivoting based on relevant new information.
• Excitement and willingness to take on other duties as needed, both within your domain and beyond.
• Strong ability to set and hit goals, prioritize what is and isn't a focus at any given time, and proactively communicate to colleagues.
• Strong project management skills, ability to keep yourself focused and motivated, and to multi-task effectively.

Role Specific

• Bachelor's degree or above in Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, Agronomy or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience working in a lab conducting R&D trials.
• Comprehensive knowledge of scientific method.
• Understanding/competence of processes and systems required for data capture, analysis, and presentation.
• Proficiency in spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets).
• Must have a current/valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.

Why You'll Love It

• Competitive salary, and very competitive stock options packages.
• Generous medical coverage for full-time employees and their dependents.
• Unlimited company reading library. Anytime you need a book to help you execute on a project, or learn and grow as a professional, check a book out from the library or request for it to be ordered.
• Lots of fruits and vegetables to snack on. Seriously. Help us.

A Couple More Things

Edesia is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.