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- Tasks: Join a team innovating sustainable agriculture through cutting-edge plant delivery techniques.
- Company: Terrana Biosciences, part of Flagship Pioneering, driving impactful scientific ventures.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly pay, hands-on experience, and potential for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities to learn and innovate.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in sustainable agriculture while developing your research skills.
- Qualifications: MS or BS in relevant fields with lab experience; strong teamwork and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Terrana Biosciences is one of the latest companies founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, where companies such as Moderna Therapeutics and Evelo Therapeutics were conceived and created. Since Flagship’s founding in 2000, the firm has originated and fostered the development of nearly 100 scientific ventures resulting in $19+ billion in aggregate value, 500+ issued patents, and more than 50 clinical trials for novel therapeutic agents. Arana Biosciences is integrating the latest developments in molecular biology and plant biology to create a new platform technology that enables adaptive, targeted and sustainable solutions in agriculture.
Are you a highly motivated and driven researcher who wants to contribute to developing products for sustainable agriculture? We are seeking a determined, impact-driven Contract Research Associate II to join our Delivery and Transformation team. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in developing cutting-edge techniques for plant delivery and transformation in diverse plant systems. The successful candidate will be highly organized and comfortable working as an integral member of a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary team in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, record-keeping, and teamwork skills will be critical.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Working with a team of scientists to innovate, optimize, and execute various plant delivery and transformation methods.
- Troubleshooting transformation protocols, solving difficult experimental problems, and proposing solutions related to transformation methods and bioassays.
- Assisting in plant phenotyping and imaging.
- Performing bacterial plasmid transfections.
- Sampling plants for molecular assays used as experimental readouts.
- MS in Plant Science, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline or a BS in one of these fields with at least 2 years of full-time professional laboratory experience.
- Experience working in industry a plus.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work with a diverse interdisciplinary team.
- Basic horticultural skills and experience working with plants in a controlled environment.
- Strong organizational and record keeping skills.
- Strong understanding of safe laboratory practices.
- Experience with Microsoft Office.
- Experience with automated growth control systems a plus.
- Strong willingness to learn.
- Innovative with an ability to problem-solve.
- Experience with common plant transformation methods, such as Agrobacterium and biolistic approaches.
- Expertise in handling plant tissues and sampling plants for assays.
- Experience with DNA, RNA, and protein isolation and purification.
- Experience with RNA-related workflows and RNA-protein interaction is a plus.
- Hands-on experience with bacterial, fungal, and/or viral pathogens in economically important crops a plus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with a diverse interdisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated organizational and record-keeping skills.
- Enthusiasm for science and willingness to adapt to the changing needs of a fast-paced research and development effort.
- Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn new techniques, efficiently troubleshoot lab protocols, and manage multiple experimental workflows.
- A strong self-starter, results-oriented with strong attention to detail.
Location: Durham, NC
Research Associate II, Delivery & Transformation (Contract) employer: Flagship Pioneering
Contact Detail:
Flagship Pioneering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Associate II, Delivery & Transformation (Contract)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to sustainable agriculture. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Since the role involves troubleshooting and innovation, think of examples from your past experiences where you tackled challenges effectively. Be ready to discuss these during interviews to showcase your analytical abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the team at Terrana Biosciences.
We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate II, Delivery & Transformation (Contract)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Associate II role. Highlight your relevant experience in plant science and any specific techniques you've mastered that align with our needs.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for sustainable agriculture shine through in your application. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about contributing to innovative solutions in this field!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures we receive all your details correctly and helps us process your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Flagship Pioneering
✨Know Your Science
Brush up on your knowledge of plant science, molecular biology, and transformation methods. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used, like Agrobacterium or biolistic approaches, and how they relate to the role.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role is all about collaboration, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked effectively in a team. Highlight your communication skills and any experiences where you contributed to a group project or solved problems together.
✨Be Ready to Troubleshoot
Expect questions that test your problem-solving abilities. Think of past challenges you've faced in the lab and how you approached them. Discuss your troubleshooting process and any innovative solutions you proposed.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since strong record-keeping is crucial for this position, come prepared to talk about how you manage your experiments and data. Share any systems or tools you use to stay organised and ensure accuracy in your work.