Plant Propagation Research & Product Associate

Grafito Innovations Private Limited; Ernakulam; On-site; INR 223,000 - 335,000; Full time

Job summary

Grafito Innovations Private Limited is seeking a research-heavy, field-intensive intern in Plant Propagation Technology. You will design field experiments, collect and analyze data, and work with engineers to shape evolving prototypes into deployable products.

The 3-month paid internship offers hands-on experience across horticulture, experimental design, and data validation, with a potential full-time Associate role at the internship's end.

Qualifications

• Degree in Horticulture / Plant Science / Agriculture / Agricultural Engineering / Biotechnology.
• Minimum 1 year of hands-on project, internship, or research experience (academic or industry).
• Strong ability to measure, record, and validate data accurately.
• Comfortable with basic statistics (mean, variance, standard deviation, comparison tests).
• Ability to design experiments that reduce bias and noise.
• Habit of maintaining clear lab notebooks / spreadsheets / documentation.
• Proactive decision-maker – does not wait for instructions at every step.
• Strong logical, mathematical, and analytical thinking.
• Creative problem solver with a hypothesis-driven approach.
• Willingness to work in field conditions (nurseries, farms, workshops).
• Comfortable using modern AI tools and verifiability.
• Actively learning and upskilling on own initiative.
• Participation in college competitions, hackathons, agri-expos, or research projects.
• Demonstrated team contribution.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute controlled field experiments for vegetable grafting and nursery operations
• Measure and record quantitative performance metrics (success rate, cycle time, repeatability, variability, failure modes)
• Conduct benchmark testing across machine configurations and crop varieties
• Create statistically verifiable reports with raw data, charts, and conclusions
• Validate results with photographic, video, and log-based evidence
• Identify anomalies, root causes, and propose data-backed improvements
• Conduct on-site trials at nurseries, research stations, and customer locations
• Collaborate with engineers to translate field observations into design inputs
• Contribute to SOPs, testing protocols, user manuals, and training content
• Participate in demos, farmer interactions, and early adoption studies

Skills

Data validation

Experimental design

Field experiments

Statistical analysis

Lab notebooks

Python / R basics

Data analysis tools

Education

Degree in Horticulture / Plant Science / Agriculture / Agricultural Engineering / Biotechnology

Tools

Excel / Google Sheets

Job description

Grafito Innovations is a deep-tech agritech startup developing automation of plant propagation technologies. We work at the intersection of plant biology, nursery systems, and automation to improve efficiency, crop survival rates, and sustainability through data-driven design.

Role Overview

This role begins as a 3-month paid, full-time internship which is research-heavy and field-intensive. You will work at the intersection of horticulture, experimental design, data validation, and product testing, directly influencing how our machines evolve from prototype to deployable product. High performers will be offered a full-time Plant Propagation Technology Associate position at the end of the internship.

What You'll Do

• Design and execute controlled field experiments for vegetable grafting and nursery operations
• Measure and record quantitative performance metrics (success rate, cycle time, repeatability, variability, failure modes)
• Conduct benchmark testing across machine configurations and crop varieties
• Create statistically verifiable reports with raw data, charts, and conclusions
• Validate results with photographic, video, and log-based evidence
• Identify anomalies, root causes, and propose data-backed improvements
• Conduct on-site trials at nurseries, research stations, and customer locations
• Collaborate with engineers to translate field observations into design inputs
• Contribute to SOPs, testing protocols, user manuals, and training content
• Participate in demos, farmer interactions, and early adoption studies

Must-Have Requirements

• Degree in Horticulture / Plant Science / Agriculture / Agricultural Engineering / Biotechnology
• Minimum 1 year of hands-on project, internship, or research experience (academic or industry)
• Strong ability to measure, record, and validate data accurately
• Comfortable with basic statistics (mean, variance, standard deviation, comparison tests)
• Ability to design experiments that reduce bias and noise
• Habit of maintaining clear lab notebooks / spreadsheets / documentation
• Proactive decision-maker – does not wait for instructions at every step
• Strong logical, mathematical, and analytical thinking
• Creative problem solver with a hypothesis-driven approach
• Willingness to work in field conditions (nurseries, farms, workshops)
• Comfortable using modern AI tools and verifiability
• Actively learning and upskilling on own initiative
• Participation in college competitions, hackathons, agri-expos, or research projects
• Demonstrated team contribution

Good to Have

• Experience with nursery propagation, grafting, or plant physiology experiments
• Familiarity with Excel / Google Sheets / basic Python / R for data analysis
• Experience writing technical or research reports
• Exposure to automation, sensors, or agricultural machinery

Why Join Us?

• Work hands-on with cutting-edge precision machinery in real-world environments
• Gain exposure to product development, testing, and customer co-creation
• Contribute meaningfully to sustainable farming and automation for agriculture
• Access to participate in several startup events across globe
• Be part of Kerala's thriving hardware startup ecosystem with real-world impact