Senior Research Associate, Delivery & Transformation (Contract)

Socket.dev; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Terrana Biosciences is seeking a Contract Senior Research Associate for the Delivery and Transformation team in Durham, NC. You will join a fast-paced, interdisciplinary group developing RNA-based plant delivery and transformation strategies.

Effective communication and record-keeping are essential as you contribute to cutting-edge agricultural biotech projects. The role emphasizes hands-on lab work, collaboration with researchers, and the ability to adapt to evolving project needs within a

Qualifications

• BS or MS with extensive professional laboratory experience in plant biology.
• Experience with protoplast transient expression systems is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to work in a diverse interdisciplinary team.
• Experience with project management or leadership is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Establish and use plant protoplast transient expression systems
• Phenotype plants for disease symptoms
• Collaborate to innovate, optimize, and execute delivery and transformation methods
• Troubleshoot transformation protocols and propose improvements

Skills

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Project management

Adaptability

Industry experience a plus

Education

BS in Plant Science / Plant Pathology / Microbiology / Molecular Biology or related

MS in related field

Tools

Protoplast transient expression systems

Agrobacterium delivery

Biolistic delivery

Nanoparticle delivery

Viral delivery

Job description

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting‑edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA‑based products to address global agricultural challenges. We are committed to advancing sustainable farming solutions through precision technologies that ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance.

THE ROLE

Are you a highly motivated and driven researcher who wants to contribute to developing products? We are seeking a determined, impact‑driven Contract Senior Research Associate for a role on the Delivery and Transformation team. The successful candidate will be highly organized and comfortable working as an integral member of a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary team in a fast‑paced entrepreneurial environment. Excellent communication, record‑keeping, and teamwork skills will be critical.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and use plant protoplast transient expression systems
• Phenotype plants for disease symptoms
• Work with a team of researchers to innovate, optimize, and execute various plant delivery and transformation methods
• Troubleshoot transformation protocols, solve complicated experimental problems, and propose solutions related to transformation methods and bioassays

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Plant Science, Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline and 5+ years of professional laboratory experience or MS in one of these fields and 3+ years of professional laboratory experience
• Experience working in industry a plus

Additional Qualifications:

• Experience with protoplast transient expression systems
• Experience in one or multiple plant delivery techniques, including Agrobacterium, biolistic, nanoparticle, and viral
• Experience with plant disease symptom phenotyping
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with a diverse interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrated organizational and record‑keeping skills
• Experience with project management or leadership experience
• Enthusiasm for science and willingness to adapt to the changing needs of a fast‑paced research and development effort

LOCATION

Durham, North Carolina

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.

Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

The pay range for this role is $38 - $47 per hour and the contractor will be employed by a third‑party staffing company. Certain employee benefits may be available to the contractor through the staffing company after meeting minimum criteria. Compensation and benefits information is based on Terrana Biosciences, Inc.'s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.