At Future Fields, we are continually learning and evolving. We know we don’t have all the answers, but we try to ask all the questions. We believe in “failing forward” and leveraging our mistakes to help us grow. We never want our team to feel constrained by the status quo and we don’t judge ideas based on where they come from. We actively work to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and psychological safety through transparency, structure, and open communication. We know it sounds cliché, but every employee really is a valued and equal member of the Future Fields team.

Come find your purpose with Future Fields.

We are a rapidly growing venture-backed startup (with support from awesome investors including Bee Partners, Y Combinator, BDC Climate Tech, R7 Partners, Toyota Ventures and Amplify Capital). We’ve even had a shoutout from Ironman himself! Joining our team now means you’ll have the opportunity to shape our culture and products, to lead others, and to influence the direction of our company. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll be joining a team that is genuinely energized by this work and the meaningful potential of biotech to change the world.

About the role

Reporting to Jan (Head of Protein Sciences), the Scientist (Protein Sciences) drives the development, optimization, and characterization of purification workflows and analytical assays that inform and advance our larval recombinant‑protein platform. This vital role combines rigorous process development with scientific discovery to understand platform behaviour and improve product quality. As a trusted owner of key initiatives, the role is responsible for independently executing experiments and translating results into novel methodologies that expand the platform’s capabilities. This position moves beyond following protocols to proactively troubleshooting and providing the high-quality data essential to scaling our impact.

This role will own:

Executing complex end-to-end purification workflows to isolate high-quality target proteins from our unique biological matrices.
Building and refining a modular library of extraction and purification protocols that work across diverse protein classes.
Conducting deep-dive investigations into purification hurdles, such as protein aggregation, low recovery, or persistent impurities, to enhance the fundamental robustness of the platform.
Analyzing multidimensional datasets to generate "protein profiles" that provide critical feedback for upstream genetic design and downstream application development.
Performing analytical assays, including SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting, to verify protein identity, purity, and structural integrity.
Maintaining meticulous, real-time documentation within Benchling (ELN) to ensure platform insights are preserved, searchable, and actionable for the broader team.

This role will assist by:

Collaborating across teams including CDMO, Genetics and Manufacturing to connect molecular architecture with final protein performance.
Acting as a trusted, supportive teammate in the lab, identifying and resolving technical bottlenecks before they impact project timelines.

We’re looking for a scientist who isn’t satisfied with just a result - you want to understand the why behind platform behaviour. You take full responsibility for your initiatives, ensuring that your work doesn't just end with a successful run, but with actionable insights that move the business forward. You are resilient, solution-focused, and ready to iterate with intention to achieve a breakthrough.

About you

You are a disciplined researcher who thrives in the (sometimes) messy reality of a startup. You are a proactive collaborator who values transparency and can work independently without losing sight of the team's shared goals. You approach technical challenges with a sense of ownership and are eager to contribute to a mission that is transforming the future of biotech.

Must-haves

MSc with ≥2 years’ or BSc with ≥4 years’ relevant experience in recombinant protein expression, purification and characterization.
Proven hands‑on experience with chromatographic purification (affinity, ion‑exchange, HIC, SEC) and filtration workflows at bench scale.
Experience running analytical assays for product quality (SDS‑PAGE, Western, activity assays) and ability to interpret data to guide process decisions.
Demonstrated ability to design and execute complex experiments, prioritize competing projects, and deliver results on time.
Strong documentation practices and experience with ELN and protocol repositories (Benchling or equivalent).
Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills; comfortable working directly with upstream and engineering teams to connect molecular design with purification outcomes.
Proactive, solution‑oriented, with strong attention to detail and a bias for rapid iteration and learning.

Bonus points

Familiarity with SPR, HPLC, mass spectrometry or other analytical techniques is an asset.
Experience with AKTA systems or automated liquid handling.
Familiarity with insect-based expression or other non-traditional platforms.

Your future (with Future Fields)

This roadmap outlines the impact you'll make as you grow with us. We'll use this as a guide for your first year, knowing that in a fast-paced environment, we'll adapt and evolve these goals together.

Within 1 month, you will:

Complete full safety and platform training for our larval recombinant-protein system. Understand the unique nuances of extracting proteins from complex insect matrices.
Successfully execute a standard end-to-end purification workflow (extraction to final elution) and perform fundamental analytical assays (SDS-PAGE, Western Blot) to confirm platform baseline metrics.
Establish a daily rhythm in Benchling, ensuring all experimental designs, deviations, and results are documented with the level of detail required for cross-functional audit.
Integrate with the R&D team to understand the current "pain points" in the workflows.

Within 3 months, you will:

Move beyond "following protocols" to identifying specific bottlenecks in the current purification workflows (e.g., persistent impurities or low recovery stages).
Begin correlating purification outcomes with upstream genetic variables, providing the first set of actionable feedback to the molecular teams to improve future yields.
Manage 1-2 research sub-projects independently, ensuring experimental timelines are met without requiring day-to-day supervision on bench-scale tasks.

Within 6 months, you will:

Participate in, and begin to lead, focused investigations into purification hurdles (e.g., managing protein aggregation or reducing impurities). You will propose and test process adjustments that contribute to a more robust platform.
Actively share your experimental findings in cross-functional meetings, providing the data necessary to help the team make informed "Go/No-Go" decisions on specific host-engineering strategies.
Use and refine the modular "protein toolbox" to improve the consistency and efficiency of our standard purification runs, ensuring results are reproducible and well-documented.
Work with the team to explore and adopt new analytical methods that enhance our protein characterization. You will help refine our "protein profiling" workflows to ensure we are capturing the most useful data for our research projects.

Within 1 year, you will:

Become a subject matter expert for how specific protein classes (e.g., growth factors or enzymes) behave within the larval expression system.
Have successfully translated a series of experimental results into a novel methodology that significantly expands the platform’s capabilities (e.g., a new extraction technique that increases yield by >20%).

About our team

Our story and approach to science are anything but conventional. Matt (co-founder/CEO) was a touring punk rock musician who dropped out of University before returning to complete his PhD in cell biology. Jalene (co-founder/COO) is a social researcher by training, previously working on issues from the right to affordable housing to harm reduction. The spark of an idea for our technology came while waiting in line for tiny, Canadian donuts. Our broader team of scientists, engineers, circus performers, restaurateurs, dancers, music aficionados, kid parents, pet parents, cyclists, and artists hail from every corner of the world - from small town Alberta to Poland, India, Vietnam and Pakistan. We credit our diverse team and experiences as the key to our success - and we encourage candidates of all identities and backgrounds to apply.

FAQs

Where is Future Fields located?

Our headquarters and production facility are located in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, in a renovated historic warehouse. From the exposed brick to our summer patio - it’s not your average lab space. It is central, close to transit and bike lanes, and walking distance to some of the city’s best coffee shops, restaurants and Edmonton’s incredible river valley.

I don’t live in Edmonton. Why would I want to relocate there?

Because it’s great! Edmonton is a young, vibrant city that punches way above its weight. We are one of Canada’s sunniest cities and offer an unmatched quality of life with a low cost of living. We’re home to North America’s largest urban parkland (the River Valley is a playground for cyclists and runners), a festival scene that runs year-round, a rapidly growing tech and biotech ecosystem, and we’re exploding with award-winning independent restaurants. It’s a place where you can build a career and a life - without the big-city price tag.

Any other perks?

Many! Some include: comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; flexible paid time off policy; and the office is always stocked with snacks and all the coffee you can drink.

Will I like working for a startup?

Great question. Startup life is definitely not for everyone. We move quickly. Projects and priorities shift fast. There is a lot of ambiguity and uncertainty at times and we’re not immune to the growing pains of a rapidly scaling startup. The risk is high, but so is the reward. We promise you will never get bored. You will have fun and learn a lot. You will grow personally and professionally in ways you never imagined (alongside our company). You will be part of something much bigger than yourself and contribute directly to the mission of a team who cares deeply about changing the world for the better. Oh, and equity!

Sound like something you are interested in? Here are the next steps:

Apply online using our job portal.

Application deadline: This posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

If it seems like a good fit, next steps will look somewhat like this:

We will contact you for a casual 15-minute video call.
We will set up an interview to dive into your technical skills and motivation.
We’ll arrange another interview to figure out how our values align and to better understand where we fit in your career trajectory.
We will set up a coffee chat with you and a team member. This is your chance to dig in and find out what it’s really like to work for Future Fields. This is for you!
We will speak with two of your references to confirm our assumption that you are, in fact, our next great hire.
We offer you a job!

We are committed to building a diverse team and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities and candidates from all backgrounds and identities.

Please note that for this specific position, we are unable to provide sponsorship for work authorization; candidates must currently be legally authorized to work in Canada.

Compensation

$55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Apply now

See more open positions at Future Fields

Powered by Getro.com