Scientist - Cell Biology & Hydrogel Encapsulation

Job Title: Scientist – Cell Biology & Hydrogel Encapsulation

Location: Hong Kong / Shenzhen (on-site)

Reports to: Senior Scientist / R&D Director

Role Overview

We are a high-growth biotech instrumentation company developing advanced cell sorting and microencapsulation platforms that combine microfluidics, AI-driven image analysis, and high-sensitivity optical detection. Our RAINSort platform performs label-free, brightfield, AI-driven cell sorting and microfluidic droplet encapsulation, and has generated preclinical proof-of-concept data — including encapsulated islet cell studies demonstrating glycemic control in animal models — in support of applications spanning cell and gene therapy manufacturing, regenerative medicine, and synthetic biology.

We are seeking a Scientist to lead the cell culture and hydrogel formulation work that sits at the heart of our encapsulation pipeline. In this hands‑on role, you will develop and optimise hydrogel systems for encapsulating mammalian and other cell lines, working closely with our microfluidics, optical, and software engineering teams to translate biological and material requirements into robust, manufacturable encapsulation protocols. We need an expert individual contributor who thrives on solving challenging cell culture and biomaterials problems and delivering high-quality, reproducible encapsulated cell products for life-science and therapeutic applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Cell Culture: Culture, expand, and maintain a range of mammalian and other cell lines and primary cells relevant to our application programs — including primary pancreatic islet cells, iPSC-derived cells, immune cells, mesenchymal stem cells, CHO, or others, as well as microbial culture of bacteria, yeast, or algae — with rigorous attention to viability, sterility, and mycoplasma testing.
• Hydrogel Formulation & Optimisation: Design, formulate, and optimise hydrogel systems (e.g., alginate, PEG-based, or other biocompatible polymers) specifically for cell encapsulation, tuning gelation chemistry, mechanical properties, permeability, and biocompatibility to the requirements of each cell type and application.
• Microfluidic Encapsulation Integration: Work closely with microfluidics and optical engineering teams to adapt hydrogel-cell formulations for droplet generation on the RAINSort platform, troubleshooting issues such as viscosity mismatches, clogging, gelation kinetics, and capsule uniformity.
• Capsule Quality & Performance Characterisation: Develop and run assays to evaluate capsule quality metrics — encapsulation efficiency, empty-capsule carryover, post‑encapsulation cell viability, membrane permeability, mechanical integrity, and long‑term functional performance (e.g., glucose‑stimulated insulin secretion for islet cell capsules).
• Application‑Specific Development: Support specific application programs across the Company's adjacency areas, including pancreatic islet / artificial pancreas encapsulation, iPSC‑derived nephron progenitor cell encapsulation, CAR‑T and Treg cell therapy encapsulation, MSC/exosome spheroid production, organoid biobanking, and other cell encapsulation projects.
• Cross‑functional Collaboration: Partner with the optical and software engineering teams to co‑develop encapsulation protocols compatible with automated AI‑driven sorting, and work with business development to translate partner and customer requirements (e.g., academic and pharma collaborators) into cell culture and formulation protocols.
• Customer acquisition and support: Assist in identifying potential customers/user leads, contacting them, and acquiring customers for our products, as well as follow up support and technical advisement.
• Documentation & Compliance: Maintain detailed lab notebooks, SOPs, and technical reports for cell culture and hydrogel formulation work. Support regulatory submissions (e.g., ISO 13485) and GMP‑adjacent documentation with clear, traceable records.

Core Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree or PhD in Cell Biology, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomaterials, or a closely related field. Bachelor's with exceptional previous industry experience may be considered.
• Experience: 5+ years of hands‑on experience in mammalian cell culture, with direct, demonstrable experience in hydrogel formulation and optimisation for cell encapsulation. Experience with microfluidic encapsulation, cell therapy manufacturing, or biomaterials‑based drug/cell delivery is required.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in mammalian and other cell line culture techniques: passaging, expansion, cryopreservation, and viability assays (e.g., Trypan blue, Calcein‑AM/EthD, flow cytometry‑based viability).
• Hands‑on hydrogel/biomaterial formulation experience: alginate, PEG‑based, gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), collagen, or other biocompatible polymers, with an understanding of ionic, photo‑, or thermal crosslinking chemistries.
• Experience characterising hydrogel properties, including rheology, swelling ratio, degradation kinetics, mechanical testing (compression/tensile), and permeability/diffusion assays.
• Familiarity with microfluidic droplet generation and cell encapsulation techniques (e.g., flow‑focusing, T‑junction, or coaxial encapsulation).
• Understanding of cell–material interactions, biocompatibility, and immune response considerations relevant to encapsulated cell therapies.
• Experience with relevant analytical and characterisation tools: fluorescence/confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, and functional assays (e.g., ELISA, glucose‑stimulated insulin secretion).
• Instrument Integration: Demonstrated ability, or strong willingness, to work closely with optical and microfluidics engineering teams to co‑develop encapsulation protocols compatible with automated cell sorting and imaging platforms. Understanding of how fluidic flow, formulation viscosity, and gelation timing affect encapsulation outcomes.
• Problem‑solving & Analytical Mindset: Capable of systematically diagnosing formulation issues (e.g., inconsistent gelation, capsule fragility, viability loss) and iterating rapidly. Strong statistical skills for characterising reproducibility and batch‑to‑batch consistency.
• Communication: Fluent in English and Mandarin — able to write precise technical documentation, present findings in PPT, and engage in technical discussions with international partners.Cantonese is preferred as well for local supplier and team communication.

Preferred Differentiators

• Direct experience with pancreatic islet cell or other therapeutic endocrine cell encapsulation programs.
• Experience working with iPSC‑derived cell types
• Experience culturing or formulating immune cells (CAR‑T, Treg) or supporting cell and gene therapy manufacturing workflows.
• Familiarity with GMP‑adjacent or regulated cell therapy manufacturing environments.
• Background in synthetic biology, 3D bioprinting, and organoid culture .
• Publication record or patents in biomaterials, hydrogel science, or cell encapsulation.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Competitive monthly package, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Performance‑based bonus and potential equity/stock options.
• Comprehensive medical insurance
• Professional development: conference attendance, external training, and collaboration with academic/industrial partners.
• Opportunity for career progression as the company expands.

Work Authorisation

Hong Kong (required)

Languages

English, Mandarin and Cantonese (preferred)