Seed Lab Technician (Entry Level, Life Sciences)

Actalent; Whitestown (IN); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Time Off/Leave (PTO)

Transportation benefits

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an R&D Seed Technician in Whitestown, IN to support global seeds R&D. You will process materials, perform labeling, packaging, and seed tasks, and operate equipment with strict GMP compliance in a lab/warehouse setting.

The role includes quality testing, cross-functional support, and extended hours during peak season with lifting up to 50 lbs. This contract position is onsite in Whitestown, IN.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; STEM degree preferred for advanced roles.
• Experience in labeling, inventory, quality control/assurance, and warehouse operations.
• Flexibility for second shift during busy season.

Responsibilities

• Operate research equipment, take detailed notes, and manage data accurately.
• Ensure GMP compliance and safety inspections; follow procedures.
• Perform quality testing on incoming materials and oversee quality functions.

Skills

Labeling

Inventory

Quality control

Quality assurance

Automation support

Packaging

Production

Agriculture

Stacking

Warehouse operation

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor's degree in agriculture/environmental science/biology/chemistry or STEM

Job description

Job Description

The R&D Seed Technician will support global research and development for seeds and traits by engaging in various tasks including indoor material processing, packaging activities, and seed tasks such as receiving, scanning, cleaning, treating, sorting, counting, labeling, and shipping. The role also involves operating equipment, performing preventative maintenance, and adhering to operational procedures within a lab or warehouse environment.

Job Title: R&D Seed Technician

Job Description

The R&D Seed Technician will support global research and development for seeds and traits by engaging in various tasks including indoor material processing, packaging activities, and seed tasks such as receiving, scanning, cleaning, treating, sorting, counting, labeling, and shipping. The role also involves operating equipment, performing preventative maintenance, and adhering to operational procedures within a lab or warehouse environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate research equipment, take detailed notes, and manage data accurately.
• Comply with regulated seed stewardship standards, read and follow regulated permit conditions, complete safety inspections and trainings, and adhere to all company policies and standard operating procedures.
• Conduct quality testing on incoming materials to ensure they meet specified standards.
• Support production employees by overseeing quality functions, maintaining quality standards, ensuring GMP compliance, conducting safety inspections, and overseeing hazard management.
• Perform quality assurance tasks including routine audits, process validations, and corrective action implementation.
• Provide support for labeling, packaging, and other departments as needed.
• Prioritize safe execution of warehouse operations, ensuring all safety protocols are followed.
• Work extended hours during peak season to meet production demands.
• Lift and move up to 50 lbs as needed.
• Ensure efficient and effective operation of source handling and filling processes.
• Conduct various quality tests for approximately 4+ hours per shift.
• Cross-train and provide support to other groups once quality control testing is completed.
• Assist in operating and overseeing the quality and filling processes.
• Manage the flow of seeds through automated equipment into cassettes for distribution to controlled research fields.
• Troubleshoot and resolve any quality issues that arise.
• Intake all incoming R&D seeds and materials and perform various quality control checks to ensure standards are met.
• Prepare seeds for production in a repetitive, detail-oriented station.
• Address and correct quality issues from the source filling station to reenter seeds into production.

Essential Skills

• Experience in labeling, inventory, quality control, quality assurance, automation support, packaging, production, packing, agriculture, stacking, and warehouse operation.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, environmental science, biology, chemistry, or other STEM-related field is highly preferred.
• 1-2+ years of experience within a related setting required (agriculture, environmental science, quality, GMP). A 4-year STEM-related degree may be considered in place of related industry experience.
• Flexibility to work a second shift schedule during busy season hours.

Work Environment

The work environment is a fast-paced manufacturing setting that is climate controlled. It involves working with automated equipment in an FDA-regulated facility, with a high emphasis on quality and safety. Employees will gain hands-on experience within agriculture, manufacturing, research and development, automation, operations, and quality.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Whitestown, IN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $23.00/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. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: 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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Whitestown, IN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Whitestown,IN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.