Research Associate

Role & responsibilities

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to contribute to our crop improvement and protection initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in bioformulation development for bioAg inputs and a strong understanding of microbial populations, plant metabolites, and their applications in agriculture.

Key responsibilities include:

• Bioformulation Development:

  Design and develop novel bioformulations for crop improvement and protection, including biocontrol agents, biofertilizers, and biostimulants, with a focus on efficacy and application in agricultural practices.

• Active Ingredient Identification:

  Identify and evaluate novel active ingredients, including peptides, metabolites, and signaling molecules, along with their applications in agriculture, particularly in the development of pesticides, nematicides, fungicides, and herbicides.

• Production Method Development:

  Develop production methods for active ingredients and their formulations, ensuring scalability and compliance with industry standards.

• Soil Microbiome Engineering:

  Engage in soil microbiome engineering to enhance crop productivity and sustainability.

• Advanced Molecular Techniques:

  Perform advanced molecular biology techniques such as recombinant cloning, genome editing, and recombinant knockouts in plants and microbes, as well as maintain detailed records and data.

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):

  Prepare and execute established methods and SOPs to ensure consistent and high-quality results.

• Stakeholder Communication:

  Deliver high-quality results in a timely manner and effectively communicate findings and progress with stakeholders.

• Process Improvements:

  Drive process improvements to enhance productivity and efficiency within the research and development team.

• Equipment Maintenance:

  Maintain all equipment and ensure that all data and records are kept in accordance with specifications

Preferred candidate profile

• Masters/Ph.D. in Plant biology, crop science, agriculture biotechnology, Agri-input science, molecular biology, microbiology, biotechnology, synthetic biology or related fields. 
• Masters with 1 year of experience in academic, Agri-biotech companies, or biotechnology industries for Agri-input formulations. 
• Experience in advanced technologies like RNAi and other recombinant technologies for agriculture science. 
• Experience in developing novel bio-based formulations for crop improvement and crop protection. 
• Experience in working with multiple active ingredients for agri-input bio-formulations. 
• Strong grasp of fundamental plant molecular biology techniques is essential. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with highly skilled teams in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and technical environment. 
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of conveying technical information in a clear and thorough manner. 
• Comfortable delivering against challenging commitments. 
• Confident, execution focused, team oriented, with an ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial environment.