Plant Pathology Research Co‑op: Data-Driven Lab Scientist

Missouri Ag Connection; Chesterfield, Northern (MO, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 66,000; Part time

Job summary

Missouri Ag Connection seeks a Plant Health Co-Op to advance plant pathology research workflows through experimental design, data analysis, and process optimization. You will support pathogen collections characterization, develop laboratory methods, and evaluate experimental systems in R&D pipelines.

You will generate actionable insights from plant and pathogen data, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to scalable research protocols in plant pathology.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a M.Sc. or Ph.D. program (Plant Pathology preferred) with experience in molecular characterization techniques, bioinformatics, and/or sequence analysis.
• Experience in experimental design and statistical/data analysis using R, Python, or similar tools.
• Experience with data visualization tools, laboratory techniques, and instrumentation.
• Effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to work independently within a team environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Perform phylogenetic analysis and characterization of pathogen collections and isolates.
• Conduct molecular characterization and develop markers for detecting plant pathogens.
• Validate pathogen characterization protocols under operational conditions.
• Optimize processes for large-scale pathogen production and storage.
• Synthesize and communicate results in a timely and organized manner to project teams and key stakeholders.
• Use prior experience and consultations with other team members to solve technical and operational challenges and complete experiments on time.
• Achieve commitment to safety and compliance by adhering to safety protocols and best practices.

Skills

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Data visualization

Scientific communication

Time management

Education

M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Plant Pathology

Tools

R

Python

Bioinformatics tools

Sequence analysis software

Job description

Missouri Ag Connection seeks a Plant Health Co-Op to advance plant pathology research workflows through experimental design, data analysis, and process optimization. You will support pathogen collections characterization, develop laboratory methods, and evaluate experimental systems in R&D pipelines.

You will generate actionable insights from plant and pathogen data, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to scalable research protocols in plant pathology.