Fungal Greenhouse Assay Scientist

Invaio; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 102,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Invaio seeks a skilled Fungal Greenhouse Assay Scientist to lead fungicide testing and design robust greenhouse and in planta assays at our RTP, North Carolina site. You will drive data quality for candidate selection and inform field-trial decisions within a collaborative, cross-functional team.

The role emphasizes experimental rigor, protocol documentation, and a proactive approach to developing new screening methods while ensuring reproducibility and safety in a state-of-the-art lab

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in mycology, plant pathology, microbiology (fungal expertise), plant biology, or related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience designing in planta testing of fungicides/pesticides for greenhouse, field, and/or other controlled-environment trials across multiple crops.
• Experience working with proteins and peptides is desirable.
• Ability to translate cross-functional inputs into well-designed assays that generate actionable data for product development decisions.
• Curiosity and creativity to develop new experimental approaches while maintaining reproducibility and scientific rigor.
• Strong communication skills for presenting plans, strategy, results, and recommendations to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design, establish, and optimize robust in planta and greenhouse screening assays for multiple fungal plant pathogens.
• Plan and execute controlled-environment studies to generate reliable data for candidate selection and field trials.
• Analyze results, identify trends, and provide clear technical recommendations.
• Improve assay performance, throughput, and reproducibility, and introduce new approaches.
• Coordinate across teams to standardize assays and deliver high-quality results.
• Present results and rationale to cross-functional teams and inform product strategy.
• Engage with the Invaio R&D team to incorporate diverse perspectives into plans.
• Develop and document protocols and maintain accurate records in electronic notebooks.
• Contribute to a culture valuing teamwork, rigor, curiosity, and innovation.
• Maintain a safe, organized research environment.

Skills

In planta assay design

Fungicide testing knowledge

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication proficiency

Project management

Education

Master's or PhD in mycology/plant pathology/microbiology

Tools

Proteins & peptides knowledge

Job description

About the role

The Fungal Greenhouse Assay Scientist will lead fungicide testing efforts as part of a larger assay team based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. This position is responsible for designing assays that help to inform decisions on advancement of Invaio’s product concepts to field trials and beyond. This role interacts with multiple functional leaders across the company and influences strategy for product development. You will be part of a team with access to state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse testing environments.

What you’ll do

• Design, establish, and optimize robust, reproducible in planta and greenhouse screening assays across multiple fungal plant pathogens to support and expand Invaio’s antifungal discovery pipeline across multiple plant-pathogen targets.
• Plan and execute controlled-environment studies that generate reliable, decision-quality data for candidate selection, field trial advancement, and further product development.
• Analyze experimental results, identify trends and sources of variability, draw conclusions, and make clear technical recommendations.
• Continuously improve assay performance, throughput, robustness, and reproducibility while introducing new approaches where they can meaningfully improve the screening pipeline.
• Coordinate efforts across a broader team to standardize and execute assays and deliver timely, high-quality, actionable results.
• Present results, recommendations, and scientific rationale to cross-functional teams and contribute to broader program and product strategy.
• Participate in regular scientific discussions with the broader Invaio R&D team to provide technical insight and incorporate diverse perspectives into experimental plans.
• Develop and document protocols and maintain clear, accurate experimental records in electronic laboratory notebooks.
• Contribute to a dynamic culture that values teamwork, scientific rigor, curiosity, innovation, and professional development.
• Take an active role in maintaining a safe, organized, and effective research environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD degree in mycology, plant pathology, microbiology (with fungal expertise), plant biology, or a related discipline
• 3+ years of experience designing in planta testing of fungicides/pesticides for greenhouse, field, and/or other controlled-environment trials across multiple crops.
• Experience working with proteins and peptides is desirable
• Ability to integrate scientific, product development, field, and other cross-functional inputs and translate them into well-designed assays that generate actionable data to guide product development decisions
• Excited to work in emerging areas where established approaches may not yet exist, with the curiosity and creativity to develop new experimental approaches while maintaining a strong focus on reproducibility, scientific rigor, and robust assay design
• Strong communication skills for presentation of plans, strategy, results, and recommendations, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences
• Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple projects
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer without current or future visa sponsorship needs.

What’s next

Invaio is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a proactive program of diversity development. Invaio will continue to recruit, hire, train, and promote into all job levels without regard to race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or veteran status.

The estimated salary range for this position is $102,000 - $130,000 per year. At Invaio, we are committed to transparency and accuracy in our hiring practices. Our salary offers are aligned with Invaio’s compensation philosophy and take into account various factors, including education, training, experience, external market conditions, the criticality of the role, and internal equity. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local wage requirements for the job location.