Job Description

Job Title: Plant Biologist/Plant molecular biologist

Location: Chesterfield, MO, 63017

Duration: 12 Months

Job Type: Temporary Assignment

Work Type: Onsite

Pay Rate: $25.00-$25.00/hr

Overview:

TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that offers strategic talent solutions to our clients world-wide. This client is a German multinational Pharmaceutical and biotechnology company and one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, headquartered in Leverkusen, and areas of business include pharmaceuticals; consumer healthcare products, agricultural chemicals, seeds and biotechnology products.

Job Description:

• We are seeking a motivated and skilled Biologics Research Associate to join our R&D team for an exciting one-year discovery project.
• The role focuses on screening corn germplasm for colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
• This position offers the opportunity to work at the interface of plant biology, microbiology, and molecular biology, contributing to cutting-edge research that bridges lab, greenhouse, and field environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Greenhouse Trials: Assist with greenhouse trials to evaluate the performance of corn inoculated with microbial treatments.
• Responsibilities include planting, maintaining fertilization regimes, supporting measurements, and performing destructive harvesting of plants.
• Microbial Applications: Utilize basic microbiology techniques to grow, quantify, and apply microbial inoculum for plant inoculation.
• Field Sampling: Travel to field sites and collect root samples from diverse corn germplasm.
• Molecular Biology: Conduct standard molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction, quantification, and DNA amplification (e.g., qRT-PCR).
• Bioinformatics: Aid in the detection and analysis of target gene variants across corn germplasm.
• Microscopy: Evaluate microbial colonization in plant roots using standard and advanced microscopy methods such as histochemical staining and fluorescence imaging.
• Data Analysis & Presentation: Participate in data collection, analysis, and sharing results with stakeholders across R&D functions.
• Cross-Functional Support: Provide additional support to team members conducting controlled-environment plant physiology trials or laboratory-based microbiology experiments as needed.
• Lab Safety & IP Compliance: Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols and contribute to intellectual property protection efforts.

Required Qualifications & Competencies:

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with at least 4 years of relevant experience, or Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience, in Plant Physiology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.
• Proven experience in at least one but preferably more of the following areas: plant physiology, beneficial plant-microbe interactions, soil microbiology, and/or molecular biology.
• Experience with microscopy techniques (e.g., fluorescence imaging) is highly desirable.
• A strong scientific background in biologics (or related fields) and an ability to integrate interdisciplinary approaches to address research challenges.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, for presenting complex findings to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently, collaborate within a team, and adapt to changing priorities.
• A proactive attitude with a commitment to team success and project fulfillment.
• This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to innovative biologics research and development.
• If you have a passion for biologics, plant-microbe interactions, and applied molecular biology, we encourage you to apply and join us in unlocking new potential in agriculture.

TekWissen® Group is an equal opportunity employer supporting workforce diversity.

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