---
title: 'Research Associate II - Ingredient and Product Innovation at Debut Biotech'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-ii-ingredient-and-product-innovation-debut-biotech-san-diego-mgzt32tcvqez'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-04'
---

# Research Associate II - Ingredient and Product Innovation at Debut Biotech

- **Company:** Debut Biotech
- **Location:** San Diego, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-07-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-04
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/debutbiotech25/jobs/5189194007

## Job description

## About Debut

Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do—setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world.  Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you.

Research Associate II - Ingredient and Product Innovation

Summary

Debut is seeking a Research Associate II to support the development and execution of in vitro assays for skincare ingredient discovery. The successful candidate will design and execute cell-based assays, maintain mammalian cell banks, and generate high-quality data in support of discovery programs.

Essential Functions

- Perform routine maintenance and expansion of mammalian cell lines.
- Execute, optimize, and troubleshoot in vitro cell-based assays utilizing techniques such as plate-based assays (e.g., absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence readouts), ELISA, flow cytometry, qPCR, and colorimetric assays.
- Perform isolation, purification, and characterization of nucleic acids to support gene expression analyses.
- Execute high-throughput sample processing workflows.
- Ensure sterile handling of samples, reagents, and laboratory equipment.
- Contribute to new assay design, development, and validation.
- Conduct thorough literature reviews and contribute to experimental planning based on peer-reviewed research.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data while maintaining accurate records in electronic lab notebooks and databases.

Education and Experience

- Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of experience OR Associate’s degree + 4 years of experience in cell biology, molecular biology, or a relevant field.
- Demonstrated experience in mammalian cell culture.
- Experience performing in vitro assays using standard cell biology techniques.
- Industry experience for mammalian cell culture is a plus.
- Experience with coding and automated record keeping is a plus.

Essential Physical Characteristics

The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

- 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).
- 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.

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

Salary: $70,000 - $85,000

## About Debut Biotech

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Debut Biotech combines AI, genomics, and biotechnology to discover and manufacture high-performance ingredients and formulations for the beauty industry.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B, 2024)
- **Headquarters**: San Diego, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2019
- **Founders**: Dr. Joshua Britton

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Biotechnology, Beauty & Personal Care, AI-driven ingredient discovery
- **Target customers**: B2B (beauty brands, cosmetics companies) and B2C via its own consumer brand DEINDE
- **Mission**: “To continuously translate scientific discovery into real-world products” [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)

## Products & Services
- **[BeautyORB™ AI Discovery Platform]**: Proprietary AI platform that screens over 96 billion ingredient candidates, using genomics and machine learning to predict novel high-performing molecules faster than traditional R&D [debutbiotech.com/platform](https://debutbiotech.com/platform)
- **[DermCeutical Ingredient Line]**: Clinically validated active ingredients targeting skin longevity, including DHK (barrier support), Naringenin (inflammaging), PNar (brightening), and EDL (skin tightening) [debutbiotech.com/platform](https://debutbiotech.com/platform)
- **[DEINDE Consumer Brand]**: Biotech beauty proof‑of‑concept brand launched in 2024 to showcase Debut’s own formulations [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)
- **Formulation & Contract Manufacturing**: Full‑service product development from ingredient discovery to scaled, brand‑ready products [debutbiotech.com/platform](https://debutbiotech.com/platform)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of over $86 M from multiple rounds (Seed, $2.6M, $22M Series A, $40M Series B, $20M follow‑on)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: L’Oréal (lead in Series B & strategic partner), Material Impact (Series A lead), KDT Ventures (seed), Linda (angel) [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Named to the **TIME100 Most Influential Companies 2025** [debutbiotech.com](https://www.debutbiotech.com/)
  - Expanded into hair and body care in 2026 [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)
  - Amassed **2 billion genomic data points** on skin health [debutbiotech.com/platform](https://debutbiotech.com/platform)
  - Active global hiring (Asia Pacific, Korea, Europe, US) [greenhouse.io/jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/debutbiotech25)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Vertically Integrated AI‑to‑Manufacturing Pipeline**: Discovery, validation, and scaling all in‑house, reducing time‑to‑market to 18 months [debutbiotech.com/platform](https://debutbiotech.com/platform)
- **Proprietary Dataset**: Largest proprietary skin‑health genomic dataset, surpassing public datasets with 99% consistency [debutbiotech.com/platform](https://debutbiotech.com/platform)
- **Speed & Cost**: 4× faster ingredient discovery and 10× cheaper than traditional methods [debutbiotech.com/platform](https://debutbiotech.com/platform)
- **Biomanufacturing Capabilities**: Pilot plant in San Diego enables commercialization of rare natural ingredients [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)

## Strategic Focus
- **Commercial growth**: Scaling sales of bioactive ingredients to global beauty brands, especially in Asia Pacific, Korea, and Europe [greenhouse.io/jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/debutbiotech25)
- **Category expansion**: Moving beyond skincare into hair and body care [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)
- **Deepening partnerships**: Expanding the L’Oréal collaboration and signing new brand partners [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Fast‑paced biotech startup with a world‑class team of scientists and entrepreneurial leaders; values rigorous science and speed to market [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)
- **Work Model**: On‑site in San Diego, with some regional sales roles remote (East Coast, West Coast, international) [greenhouse.io/jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/debutbiotech25)
- **Roles Available**: Scientists (NGS, fermentation, cellular assays), commercial sales (APAC, Korea, Europe, US), account management, and internship opportunities [greenhouse.io/jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/debutbiotech25)
- **Perks**: Opportunity to work at the intersection of AI, biotech, and high‑performance beauty; direct impact on novel ingredient discovery and commercialization

## Sources
1. [debutbiotech.com](https://www.debutbiotech.com/)
2. [debutbiotech.com/about](https://www.debutbiotech.com/about)
3. [debutbiotech.com/platform](https://debutbiotech.com/platform)
4. [greenhouse.io/jobs](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/debutbiotech25)
5. [linkedin.com/company/debutinnovation](https://www.linkedin.com/company/debutinnovation)

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