Lab Specialist, Molecular Technologies

SeedQuest; North Carolina; On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive retirement savings plan

Mental health support

Family forming benefits

Back-up child and elder care

Mentoring and career development

Matching gifts program

Employee crisis support

Company discounts

Job summary

BASF's Agricultural Solutions team in Research Triangle Park, NC is seeking a Lab Specialist - Molecular Technologies to help develop and optimize DNA, RNA and protein-based analytics for the Soybean Crop System. The role combines wet-lab work with data interpretation and workflow improvements.

You will operate Real Time PCR, sequencing instruments, and automation platforms, contribute to method development, liaise with the Greenhouse Team, and drive production-ready assays while ensuring

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Plant Biology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in an industry lab with advanced molecular techniques.
• Experience developing and implementing TaqMan SNP genotyping and expression assays.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies.
• Expertise in molecular assay design and validation.
• Background in crop genetics and molecular analytics preferred.
• Ability to translate development methods to production-ready workflows.
• Familiarity with LIMS systems and genomic analysis software.
• Deep knowledge of TaqMan Gene Expression Assays.

Responsibilities

• Conduct RNA-based expression analysis in wet lab using automation platforms and deliver quality data.
• Troubleshoot and optimize wet-lab protocols to improve efficiency and cut costs.
• Support assay development and roll-over to high-throughput production formats.
• Review analytical data and communicate issues to the team.
• Contribute to scoring templates, LIMS integration and protocol documentation.
• Coordinate with Greenhouse Team for sample quality and timelines.

Skills

RNA expression analysis

DNA analysis

Laboratory automation

Troubleshooting protocols

Data analysis software

High-throughput workflow

Education

Master's degree in Molecular Biology

Tools

Real Time PCR systems

Sequencing instruments

LIMS

DNA/RNA analysis software

Job description

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located.

Location: Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA

Job ID: 141760

We are looking for a Lab Specialist - Molecular Technologies to join our Agricultural Solutions team in Research Triangle Park, NC.

BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division connects innovation, customers, partners and agricultural experts and integrates sustainability criteria into all business decisions. We help farmers deliver the best possible outcomes, working to achieve the balance between economic, environmental and social value creation for sustainable and efficient agriculture.

The Lab Specialist will be part of BASF’s Seeds, Technologies, and Analytics (STA) Labs and Methods Team, which delivers innovative and cost effective DNA, RNA and protein-based methods to stakeholders in Seeds & Traits. This is an excellent opportunity to join the laboratory environment and share your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, innovation and process efficiency mindset along with automation aptitude to conduct DNA and RNA based analytics for the Soybean Crop System. The desirable candidate will have first-hand experience developing, optimizing and performing novel fluorescence-based expression analysis using RNA from plant matrices, including qualitative and quantitative analysis and utilizing laboratory automation. The ideal candidate will be implementing and optimizing sequencing, expression assays and molecular analytics across diverse platforms, conducting data analysis and proposing workflow and protocol improvements.

As a Lab Specialist - Molecular Technologies, you create chemistry by...

• Conducting RNA based Expression analysis in wet lab by utilizing specialized laboratory automation platforms including Real Time PCR systems, liquid handlers, and sequencing instruments and deliver high quality data within defined timelines to internal customers in the organization.
• For Wet Lab methods, proactively conducting troubleshooting, optimization of protocols and processes alongside increasing efficiency and reducing cost for assays.
• Providing technical expertise for assay development, optimization and roll over of a method from a development scale to a high throughput ready format for production scale applications.
• For data analysis reponsibilities, reviewing data outputs from molecular analysis using sophisticated software tools, identifying issues and proactively communicating them with the team.
• Collaborating and providing technical input to Process Lead and Global Methods team on scoring template requirements, LIMS integration and documentation for capturing the protocols and novel workflow.
• Communicating with the Greenhouse Team for sample quality, timelines and Breeding for data delivery, communicating any potential bottlenecks with the project / group lead, and pro-actively communicating any equipment challenges internally and with vendors if there are any issues.

If you...

• Hold a master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Plant Biology, Biotechnology, or other related field of study.
• Bring a minimum of 5 years of experience in an industry lab setting working with advanced molecular biology techniques.
• Have experience developing and implementing TaqMan assays for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and expression analysis.
• Bring experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies.
• Apply expertise in molecular assay design and validation.
• Bring a background in crop genetics and molecular analytics, preferred.
• Combine experience in method/technology development with work in a high-throughput lab environment.
• Translate novel methods from development and validation to implementation in a production lab setting.
• Work with LIMS systems and DNA analysis software.
• Demonstrate deep technical knowledge of TaqMan Gene Expression Assays.
• Understand sequencing technologies, including DNA and RNA sequencing.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, work independently, and collaborate with a diverse team of scientists and specialists.

Create your own chemistry with you@BASF

At BASF, you will have the chance to do meaningful work towards building a more sustainable future. In addition to competitive compensation and benefits, BASF provides you with access to a wide range of elements to help you be your best. It’s what we call you@BASF. We are committed to providing benefits, programs, and opportunities that support our employees’ overall well-being, personal growth, and a safe, collaborative, and inclusive work environment.

Just some of the many benefits we offer include:

• Flexible work arrangements whenever possible
• Highly competitive retirement savings plan with company match and investment options
• Well-being programs that include comprehensive mental health support for you and your household family members
• Family forming benefits (fertility, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, maternity/parental leave, and more)
• Back-up child and elder care with discount programs for families of all ages and stages
• Mentoring and career development opportunities that allow you to share, learn, and thrive
• Matching gifts program that allows you to deepen the impact of your contributions to qualified charities.
• Employee crisis support for when the unexpected happens
• Access to our BASF wine cellar, employee discounts, and much more!

Equal employment opportunities

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, citizenship, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, disability status, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.