Fungal Genomics Research Co-op — Insect Control Discovery

Bayer; Chesterfield (MO); On-site; USD 31,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

PTO

Sick leave

Retirement plan

Job summary

Bayer Crop Science in Missouri hosts a co-op program focusing on discovery of entomopathogenic fungi for insect control. You will gain hands-on experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and biotech research, developing methods to isolate, culture, and characterize fungi from environmental samples.

The role includes contributing to DNA extraction, genome sequencing prep, and collaboration across microbiology, genomics, and bioinformatics teams.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Plant Pathology, or a related field
• Experience with microbial or fungal culturing techniques is preferred
• Strong laboratory documentation and organizational skills
• Interest in genomics, bioinformatics, or functional characterization of natural products
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize protocols for the isolation, purification, and cultivation of diverse fungal species from environmental samples
• Screen, identify, and maintain fungal isolates
• Document isolate metadata and maintain accurate laboratory records
• Assist with DNA extraction and sample preparation for genome sequencing and downstream analyses
• Collaborate with microbiology, genomics, and bioinformatics scientists to characterize newly isolated strains
• Present research findings and project updates to the broader team
• Develop and pilot a transcriptomics-based workflow to support fungal toxin annotation and candidate gene discovery
• Contribute to data analysis and interpretation of RNA‑seq datasets to help identify genes associated with insecticidal activity

Job description

Bayer Crop Science in Missouri hosts a co-op program focusing on discovery of entomopathogenic fungi for insect control. You will gain hands-on experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and biotech research, developing methods to isolate, culture, and characterize fungi from environmental samples.

The role includes contributing to DNA extraction, genome sequencing prep, and collaboration across microbiology, genomics, and bioinformatics teams.