Join Us
Careers
Scoville Splice is building the future of capsaicinoid science. We are looking for people who work at the intersection of computational biology, food science, and precision engineering — and who want to push the boundaries of what’s possible with pepper heat.
What We Value
Scientific rigor. Every claim is backed by quantitative data. Every CRISPR guide has off-target scoring. Every ESM2 prediction includes a log-likelihood ratio. We publish our methods, deposit our sequences, and archive our preprints.
Interdisciplinary thinking. The Capsaicin Design Platform works because it integrates six disciplines into a single pipeline. We need people who can operate at the boundaries — who understand not just their own domain but how it connects to the stages upstream and downstream.
Computational-first approach. Our lab is a computational operation. We design in silico before we touch biology. Comfort with code, data analysis, and quantitative modeling is essential across every role.
Areas We’re Building
We are always interested in hearing from exceptional people in the following areas. Specific openings will be posted as they arise.
Computational Biology
Design and execute RNA-seq analysis pipelines, build constraint-based metabolic models, and perform flux balance analysis to identify engineering targets in capsaicinoid biosynthesis pathways. Experience with Salmon, PyDESeq2, COBRApy, and Python required. Familiarity with plant secondary metabolite pathways a strong plus.
Bioinformatics Engineering
Build and maintain the data infrastructure connecting transcriptomic analysis to metabolic modeling to CRISPR construct design. Work with genome annotation, sequence alignment, and automated construct assembly pipelines. Experience with Biopython, FASTA/GFF processing, and GenBank submission workflows.
AI / Machine Learning — Protein Engineering
Apply protein language models (ESM2 and successors) to enzyme engineering problems. Run mutation scanning pipelines, interpret log-likelihood ratios, and predict functional effects of amino acid substitutions. Experience with PyTorch and structural biology is essential.
Molecular Genetics & CRISPR Design
Design CRISPR-SpCas9 guide RNAs, score off-target risks, and architect complete construct specifications including promoters, terminators, and selection markers. Experience with plant transformation systems, particularly in Capsicum or Solanaceae, is highly valued.
Food Science & Sensory Analysis
Optimize capsaicinoid blend ratios for target heat profiles, design HPLC-based analytical methods, and develop safety protocols for superhot pepper handling. Understanding of TRPV1 receptor pharmacology, sensory evaluation methodology, and food safety regulation.
Business Development & Licensing
Drive the commercialization of Scoville Splice cultivar specifications through licensing partnerships. Work with hot sauce companies, snack food manufacturers, agricultural biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions. Understanding of IP licensing in biotech is important.
Location
Scoville Splice is based in Irvine, California 92602. Given the computational nature of the platform, remote collaboration is a core part of how we work.
Get in Touch
If your work intersects with ours — whether in computational biology, CRISPR engineering, AI protein design, food science, or biotech licensing — we want to hear from you. Reach out through scovillesplice.farm with a description of your background and what excites you about the Capsaicin Design Platform.