Research Assistant

Actalent, Inc.; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Time Off/Leave (PTO)

Job summary

Actalent, Inc. is seeking a Research Assistant in Johnston, IA to support greenhouse operations and molecular analysis tasks. You will perform planting, pollination, sampling, and data-related replanting, while assisting with threshing and plate preparation for DNA analysis, under safety standards.

The role requires an Associates or Bachelors in Life Sciences or at least six months of greenhouse/field experience, with onsite work Monday through Friday from 7am to 3:30pm.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or 6 months greenhouse/field experience.
• Experience with growing operations and tissue sampling is a plus.
• Ability to operate basic agricultural equipment safely.

Responsibilities

• Perform day-to-day greenhouse and growth chamber activities including planting, pollinating, tissue sampling, pest and disease scouting, harvesting, and threshing.
• Maintain facility cleanliness and adhere to safety standards.
• Collect tissue samples for DNA analysis and water/pot soil for plant care.
• Replant samples after data review and assist in operating the threshing machine.
• Plate samples for the Molecular Marker group and support plant maintenance tasks.
• Cross-pollinate plants and work with soybean, wheat, pollen, and dust.

Skills

Life Sciences knowledge

Greenhouse experience

Education

Associates or Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences

Tools

Growth chambers

DNA sampling tools

Threshing equipment

Job description

Research Assistant

Job Description

• Perform day-to-day greenhouse and growth chamber activities including planting, pollinating, tissue sampling, pest and disease scouting, harvesting, and threshing.
• Maintain facility cleanliness and adhere to safety standards.
• Collect tissue samples from soybean plants for DNA analysis.
• Water, pot soil, and care for all plants in the growth chamber.
• Replant samples after data review.
• Assist in operating the soybean threshing machine.
• Plate samples to be tested by the Molecular Marker group.
• Conduct plant maintenance including trimming, training, and node cleaning.
• Cross-pollinate plants and discard as necessary.
• Work with soybean, wheat, pollen, and dust.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences (Horticulture, Agriculture, Agricultural Studies) OR at least 6 months of greenhouse or field experience.

Shift

Monday-Friday 7am-3:30pm

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Johnston, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $20.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Johnston,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 4, 2025.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.