Research Associate

Vylor; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Vylor is seeking a Research Associate to support development, optimization, validation, and implementation of disease bioassays across lab, greenhouse, and field settings. You will help plan experiments, prepare pathogen materials, execute assays, and ensure data quality for trait discovery and product advancement.

You will collaborate with scientists and cross‑functional partners to deliver safe, timely results and continuously improve screening workflows, while documenting protocols and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in plant pathology or related field.
• Experience with disease bioassays, pathogen handling, and plant propagation.
• Ability to work across lab, greenhouse, and field environments.
• Strong attention to detail and data documentation.

Responsibilities

• Support development and validation of greenhouse, lab, growth-chamber, and field disease screening assays.
• Prepare pathogen cultures, inoculum sources, host plants, and supplies.
• Assist with experimental setup, planting, inoculation, scoring, and sample collection.
• Monitor environmental conditions for consistency across reps.
• Coordinate daily activities of temporary workers and interns.
• Maintain records of experimental design, conditions, ratings, observations, and deviations.
• Perform preliminary data review and basic analyses.
• Identify opportunities to improve assay robustness and throughput.
• Follow safety and containment procedures.
• Communicate progress and results to supervisors and collaborators.

Skills

Laboratory skills

Data interpretation

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in plant pathology

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Excel

Job description

Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture

At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting‑edge biotech, and next‑generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on. Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.

We are seeking a Research Associate. You will support the development, optimization, validation, and implementation of high-quality laboratory, greenhouse, and field disease bioassays that enable reliable evaluation of plant disease resistance and trait performance. You will contribute to experimental planning, pathogen and plant material preparation, assay execution, data‑quality monitoring, and continuous improvement of disease screening workflows. This role requires close collaboration with research scientists, technical staff, and cross‑functional partners to ensure that bioassays are delivered safely, consistently, and on schedule while generating accurate, reproducible, and decision‑ready data for trait discovery and product advancement.

What You'll Do

• Provide technical support for the development, optimization, validation, and implementation of greenhouse, laboratory, growth‑chamber, and field‑based disease screening assays.
• Prepare and maintain pathogen cultures, inoculum sources, host plant materials, and experimental supplies required for reliable disease bioassay execution.
• Assist with experimental setup, planting, inoculation, disease development monitoring, scoring, sample collection, and post‑assay cleanup according to established protocols.
• Monitor assay progress and environmental conditions to ensure consistency across replications, experiments, locations, and seasons.
• Guide and coordinate daily activities of temporary workers, interns, or support staff as needed to ensure safe, timely, and high‑quality execution of experiments.
• Maintain accurate records of experimental design, assay conditions, disease ratings, observations, sample movement, and protocol deviations.
• Perform preliminary data review, summarization, quality checks, and basic analysis to support interpretation by research scientists and project teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve assay robustness, throughput, reproducibility, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Follow all applicable safety, stewardship, biological containment, greenhouse, laboratory, and field operating procedures.
• Communicate progress, issues, risks, and results clearly to supervisors, scientists, and collaborators.

What You Need

Educational Qualifications Desire d

• Bachelor’s degree in plant pathology or a related discipline such as microbiology, plant science, biology, agronomy, biochemistry, molecular biology, or plant genetics; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and hands‑on experience. Coursework or practical experience in plant disease biology, host‑pathogen interactions, microbiology, greenhouse experimentation, field research, or biological assay development is desirable.

Competencies and Experience Desire d

• Strong interest in applied plant pathology research and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, growth‑chamber, and field environments.
• Knowledge of plant pathology, plant biology, microbiology, or crop production systems is preferred.
• Experience with disease assay execution, inoculum preparation, pathogen handling, plant propagation, disease scoring, or field trial operations is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and commitment to generating accurate, consistent, and well‑documented experimental data.
• Ability to organize multiple experiments, manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and adjust plans in response to changing biological or operational conditions.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to document protocols, summarize observations, and communicate technical updates to project teams.
• Proficiency with common computer applications for data entry, spreadsheet management, record keeping, and basic data summarization.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to a team‑oriented research environment.
• Commitment to safety, stewardship, compliance, and proper handling of biological materials, chemicals, equipment, and research samples.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint, to facilitate effective communication and collaborative file sharing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, good organization skills, strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Please note there is no relocation or visa sponsorship available for this role.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well‑being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
• Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/

Are you a good match? We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.

Corteva announced to separate our current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, operating as Vylor, Inc. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc. and your employment would be governed by Vylor, Inc. employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by Vylor, Inc. at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.

Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.