Associate, Breeding & Trait Development

Cibus, Ltd.; San Diego, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Cibus, Ltd. in San Diego, CA is seeking an Associate, Breeding & Trait Development to support development of gene-edited plants in tissue culture, growth chambers, and greenhouses. A BS in a scientific field or related AA/HS path with experience is required.

The role involves planning seed prep for multi-location trials, collaborating across lab, field and development teams, and ensuring adherence to quality and regulatory protocols while maintaining detailed records.

Qualifications

• BS degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline and a minimum of 0 to 2 years of experience
• AA/HS diploma and 2-4 years of experience

Responsibilities

• Contribute to planning and seed preparation for multi-location evaluation and contra season nurseries
• Assist in multi-disciplinary teams of lab, field, and development personnel
• Troubleshoot existing processes and protocols to improve development timelines
• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management principles and practices, plant propagation and culture
• Familiarity with fertilizers and pesticides, greenhouse and growth chamber lighting and control systems
• Perform duties associated with culture of high-quality crops in greenhouse settings (planting, transplanting, watering, disease control)
• Maintain an organized seed inventory and assist in breeding population management
• Follow USDA APHIS permit requirements when handling regulated materials
• Ensure data collection and reporting in databases; apply statistical analysis and experimental design principles
• Communicate progress and reports to supervisor and teammates

Skills

Scientific principles

MS Office suite

Education

B.S. degree in a scientific discipline

AA/HS diploma + 2-4 years experience

Tools

MS Office suite

Job description

Cibus has an immediate opening for an Associate, Breeding & Trait Development at their San Diego, CA site to support the development of new gene edited plants in tissue culture, growth chambers and greenhouses.

BS degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline and a minimum of 0 to 2 years of experience or AA/HS diploma and 2-4 years of experience

Area(s) of expertise desired

Solid Understanding of scientific principles

Proficient computer skills including familiarity with MS Office suite

Cibus is a biotechnology company with advanced technologies to precisely target and direct a plant’s natural gene-editing processes. This approach accelerates natural plant breeding that has been a staple of farming for thousands of years and has resulted in a rapid, versatile and low-cost way to produce sustainable industrial and agricultural products and improve human health by safely harnessing nature’s own genetic diversity.

The company has a worldwide presence, with subsidiaries in Europe and North America and state-of-the-art research and development center in San Diego, CA Cibus has a pipeline of traits for canola and rice and is developing crop platforms and a pipeline of trait products in other major global crops including soybean, wheat and corn.

• Contribute new ideas for improvement of all assays.
• Assist in planning and seed preparation for multi-location evaluation and contra season nurseries.
• Actively participate in multi-disciplinary teams comprised of lab, field, and development personnel.
• Troubleshoot existing processes and protocols to improve development timelines.
• Knowledge and understanding of Integrated Pest Management principles and practices, plant propagation and culture methods.
• Familiarity with fertilizers and pesticides, greenhouse and growth chamber lighting and control systems.
• Perform all duties associated with the culture of a high-quality crop in a greenhouse setting. These duties may include planting, transplanting, watering, insect and disease control, disease inoculation, and establishing and monitoring optimal plant growth environments.
• Troubleshoot existing processes and protocols to improve development timelines.
• Maintain an organized seed inventory.
• Conduct plant crossing protocols and support breeding development activities in all crops Cibus is working on.
• Carefully follow Cibus protocols and USDA APHIS permit requirements when handling regulated materials.
• Ensure that the database is used for trial setup, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Knowledge of statistical analysis and experimental design principles.
• Manage multiple tasks while meeting deadlines.
• Assist in managing breeding populations and parent lines.
• Maintain general cleanliness in greenhouse facilities and associated storage/office areas according to established cleanliness protocols.
• Willingness to take care of plants during weekends and/or holidays, on a rotating schedule.
• Conduct trials in a way to support all Quality Management Systems and Environment and Health Safety policies. Take breaks and stretch as needed to avoid RSI related injuries.
• Become familiar with Cibus Quality Management Systems and focus on quality across all operations. Apply the principles learned in daily operations.
• Understand contract requirements for any lines in pure seed increase and ensure all rules are followed.
• Be able to lift 50 lbs., and willing to work in hot and humid environments.

• Able to manage multiple tasks while meeting deadlines with guidance
• Able to follow SOPs and properly maintain a research notebook; contribute to troubleshooting and writing SOPs with guidance
• Understands and participates in experimental design and analysis; contributes judgement and recommendations to routine problem solving
• Reads and understands relevant scientific literature with guidance
• Demonstrates leadership by being proactive, showing initiative, enabling others, and leading by example
• Responsibilities may include management of equipment or workflows and training colleagues on usage
• Able to manage own emotions and work in a team environment of trust, respect, and collaboration.
• Able to proactively communicate with supervisor and teammates; prepares progress reports and presentations with guidance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with multiple levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational and motivational skills, accurate record keeping, and attention to detail.
• Flexible in the capacity to adapt to changes in direction with guidance
• Knowledge and familiarity of Cibus Quality Management System and approach to quality.
• Complies with principles and practices defined by Quality Management System to project work and role responsibilities