Colossal is seeking a versatile Cinematographer to help define the visual language of de-extinction through ongoing documentary coverage across laboratories, field expeditions, interviews, and original productions. This role is designed for a passionate creative who can pair strong documentary instincts with cinematic craft, moving fluidly between scripted productions and real-time documentary coverage, capturing breakthrough science as it happens, and elevating everyday moments into compelling visual storytelling.
This role is based on-site full time in Dallas, TX. Relocation assistance is available.
Responsibilities:
Capture & Production
- Serve as Director of Photography, guiding camera, composition, and movement
- Shape visual tone and framing to achieve a cinematic, cohesive look
- Lead video and photography capture across lab environments, fieldwork, and controlled productions
- Operate confidently in both fast-moving documentary conditions and structured in-house shoots
- Capture with flexibility to support multiple outputs (social, YouTube, experiential)
- Partner with the entertainment team to plan shoots, coordinating crew, gear, and logistics as needed
- Adapt quickly to changing environments, scientific constraints, and production needs
Camera Systems & Innovation
- Evaluate and implement new camera systems, lenses, and emerging production technologies
- Stay current on advancements in cinematography and AI-driven workflows
- Advise on gear selection and build scalable camera packages for different production needs
Lighting & Image Craft
- Design and execute lighting setups across lab, interview, and documentary environments
- Balance technical accuracy with cinematic mood and brand consistency
- Adapt lighting approaches quickly based on environment and constraints
Post-Production & Color Pipeline
- Partner with post-production to ensure visual intent carries through
- Help define and maintain the final color look across projects
- Establish and refine brand-consistent LUTs for use across shoots and workflows
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience filming in both controlled (lab/studio) and natural (field/remote) environments
- Background in documentary or long-form storytelling, following real people and breakthrough moments over time
- Ability to make complex science visually compelling and emotionally accessible
- Drone/aerial cinematography experience in dynamic environments
- Experience building content systems within small, fast-moving teams
- Color grading experience, with the ability to work within color pipelines, including LUTs and collaboration with colorists to maintain visual intent
- Interest in science, technology, and de-extinction
What Colossal Offers Full-Time Employees:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Excellent paid time off and company holidays so you can rest and recharge
- Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
- Company matched 401k retirement plan
- Paid parental leave at 100% salary for up to 12 weeks
- Education reimbursement
- An opportunity to help us return the Earth to a healthier state
The team at Colossal is committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative, experienced, scientific and world-class. That sounds like a lot to fit into one building. That’s why we are spread out in several locations that include laboratories, test facilities, academic institutions, libraries and offices.
Through it all, however, we maintain a culture of positivity, hope, happiness and belief that we’re doing something big. Something Colossal.
Colossal is proud to be an equal employment opportunity workplace. We welcome people from all backgrounds as well as celebrate and support diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment so everyone can thrive.
EEO is the Law
Search Firm Representatives: Colossal does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms. No fees will be paid for a hired candidate where no pre-existing agreement is in place. We handle most recruitment in-house.
Colossal is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by BuiltIn for 4 years in a row across multiple categories in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026:
- #1 on the 50 Best Startups to Work For in Dallas in 2023!
- 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Dallas in 2024 & 2025
- 100 Best Places to Work in Dallas, TX (All Size Employers) in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Built In 2026 Award Lists
Great Place to Work Certification Page
Most Loved Workplace Certification Page - Proud to be certified as a most loved workplace including: most loved CEO, most loved workplaces for LGBTQ+, most loved workplaces for women, and most loved workplaces for young professionals.
Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces 2024 Award List - Excited to be amongst the winners of Newsweek's 2024 Most Loved Workplaces!
Skills Required
- Experience filming in controlled laboratory or studio environments
- Experience filming in natural field or remote environments
- Documentary or long-form storytelling experience
- Ability to make complex science visually compelling and emotionally accessible
- Drone or aerial cinematography experience
- Experience building content systems within small, fast-moving teams
- Color grading experience and familiarity with color pipelines and LUTs
- Interest in science, technology, and de-extinction
What We Do
Colossal is a breakthrough bioscience and genetic engineering company that builds radical new technologies to advance the field of genomics. Colossal creates disruptive technologies for extinct species restoration, critically endangered species protection and the repopulation of critical ecosystems that support the continuation of life on Earth. The company is the first to apply CRISPR technology for the purposes of species de-extinction, beginning with the woolly mammoth. Colossal is accepting humanity’s duty to restore Earth to a healthier state.
Why Work With Us
Colossal will revolutionize history and be the first company to use CRISPR technology successfully in the de-extinction of previously lost species. On the journey we will build radical new software tools and technologies to advance the science of genomics overall. Join our team and be proud of your contribution to science and the planet.
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