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Insect Protein Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Research Technical Assistant

Pasadena, CA ยท On-site

$19 - $25.75/hr

Conduct heterologous protein expression in mammalian and insect cells. * Perform transformations and transfections, and manage tissue cultures. * Perform basic molecular cloning and generate ...

Research Scientist

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$104K - $156K/yr

Maintain and manage mammalian and insect cell lines to support protein expression. * Optimize protein expression processes to enhance yield and quality of downstream proteins. * Design, execute, and ...

Maintain and manage mammalian and insect cell lines to support protein expression. * Optimize protein expression processes to enhance yield and quality of downstream proteins. * Design, execute, and ...

R&D Senior Scientist

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Experience with protein structural and sequence analysis software. * Demonstrated ability to act as a sole technical contributor and project owner. * Hands-on experience with mammalian and insect ...

Perform protein expression studies utilizing baculovirus insect cell culture systems * Maintain suspension cell cultures and perform: * Cell maintenance * Transfection * Infection * Harvesting of ...

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Insect Protein information

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How much do insect protein jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for insect protein in the United States is $16.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Insect Protein Production Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Insect Protein Production Specialist, you need knowledge of entomology, food safety protocols, and sustainable agriculture practices, typically supported by a degree in biology, agriculture, or food science. Familiarity with automated farming systems, biosecurity controls, and quality assurance certifications like HACCP is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and teamwork skills help manage production challenges and regulatory compliance. These skills ensure efficient, safe, and scalable insect protein production to meet growing market and environmental demands.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in the insect protein industry?

Professionals in the insect protein industry often face challenges related to consumer acceptance, regulatory hurdles, and scaling production efficiently. Since insect-based products are relatively new to many markets, educating consumers and stakeholders is an ongoing task. Additionally, staying up-to-date with evolving food safety regulations and establishing consistent quality standards are critical aspects of the job. Collaboration with R&D, marketing, and supply chain teams is essential for overcoming these challenges and helping the industry grow.

What is the difference between Insect Protein vs Food Scientist?

AspectInsect ProteinFood Scientist
Required CredentialsDegree in entomology, food science, or related fieldDegree in food science, chemistry, or microbiology
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, insect farms, production facilitiesLaboratories, research centers, food manufacturing plants
Industry UsageDeveloping sustainable protein sources from insectsResearching, developing, and improving food products

Insect Protein specialists focus on utilizing insects as a sustainable food source, often working in farms and production facilities. Food Scientists work on developing and testing food products across various sectors. While both roles require food science knowledge, Insect Protein roles are more specialized in entomology and sustainable food sources, whereas Food Scientists have broader food product expertise.

What are insect protein jobs?

Insect protein jobs refer to roles involved in the production, research, processing, and marketing of protein derived from insects. These jobs can include positions in insect farming, quality control, food technology, sustainability research, and business development within the alternative protein industry. Workers in this field contribute to the development of sustainable food systems by promoting edible insects as a source of protein for human consumption or animal feed. The sector is growing rapidly as the demand for environmentally friendly protein sources increases.

Research Associate I / Cell Culture

Pioneer Data

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

Contractor

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Position Details:
Our client, a world-leading Pharmaceutical Company in San Diego, CA is currently looking for an Research Associateย Iย to join their expanding team.
Job Title: Research Associate I / Cell Culture
Duration: 12 months contract, extendable up to 48 months
Location: San Diego,ย CA
Note:
The client has the right-to-hire you as a permanent employee at any time during or after the end of the contract.
You may participate in the company group medical insurance plan
Job Description:ย 
Research Associate I
ย 
Position Summary
The Structural Biology and Protein Sciences group is seeking a highly motivated contractor to support recombinant protein production efforts, primarily utilizing insect cell expression systems.ย 
The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining eukaryotic cell cultures, generating and managing high-titer baculovirus stocks, and performing multi-liter scale protein expression and harvest workflows.ย 
Additional responsibilities include executing plate-based expression and purification profiling to enable rapid screening of construct and condition variants.ย 
This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to operate efficiently in a fast-paced research environment.
ย 
Key Responsibilities
Maintain healthy eukaryotic cell cultures, including insect (Sf9, Sf21, High Five) and/or mammalian expression lines.
Generate, amplify, and quality-control baculovirus stocks, including centralized storage and record management.
Execute multi-liter scale recombinant protein expression experiments, including infection, culture monitoring, and cell harvest.
Perform small-scale, plate-based expression and purification profiling to assess expression levels, solubility, and purification behavior.
Maintain accurate and timely records of experimental data, cell line usage, and virus stock inventories.
Operate and maintain basic laboratory instrumentation and contribute to general lab support activities as needed.
Collaborate closely with team members to optimize expression workflows and troubleshoot technical issues.
ย 
Minimum Qualifications
BS degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
Minimum of 3 years of hands-on laboratory experience, including work with insect cell culture (e.g., Sf9, Sf21, Hi5) and/or mammalian cell culture systems.
Demonstrated experience in aseptic technique and routine maintenance of suspension cultures.

Highly Desirable Qualifications
Experience with the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system, including donor plasmid preparation, bacmid generation, and virus amplification.
Familiarity with plate-based expression and purification approaches (e.g., 24?96 well plates and rapid IMAC and other affinity-based screens).
Experience conducting multi-liter expression campaigns and associated downstream sample handling.
Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills.
Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.