Senior Scientist

Kelly Science, Engineering, Technology & Telecom; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

A leading biotech consulting firm is seeking a Senior Scientist in Seed Production & Trait Integration to manage seed production planning and coordinate with CROs. The role involves overseeing molecular quality control and ensuring compliance with biotech standards. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline and 5-7+ years of experience in agricultural biotech. This position, based in St. Louis, offers a hybrid work schedule and is critical for upcoming field seasons.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of relevant industry experience, preferably in agricultural biotech.
• Demonstrated experience working with CROs for seed production.
• Strong knowledge of biotech traits and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee seed production activities for field and greenhouse programs.
• Manage molecular quality control testing for seed purity.
• Coordinate with CROs for plant crossing and seed production.

Skills

Industry experience

Project management

Molecular biology techniques

Biotech traits knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline

Tools

LIMS platforms

Project management tools

Job description

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a Senior Scientist – Seed Production & Trait Integration (Consultant) for one of our partners.

This 12-month contract assignment is an excellent opportunity for an experienced agricultural biotech professional to step into a highly visible, hands‑on role supporting product development and field readiness. This position was newly created to centralize responsibilities currently distributed across multiple team members and will play a critical role in preparation for the upcoming field season.

Job Type

Full‑Time Contract (12 months to start, potential to be extended) with full benefits

Schedule

Monday – Friday | Hybrid (minimum 3 days onsite per week)

Location

St. Louis, MO

Position Overview

As a Senior Scientist – Seed Production & Trait Integration, you will serve as a dedicated technical lead within the Product Development team. This role sits one level above existing contributors and will independently manage seed production planning, molecular quality control, trait integration, and CRO coordination. You will work closely with internal partners while owning critical workflows essential to field and greenhouse programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee seed production activities for field and greenhouse programs
• Manage molecular assay‑based quality control testing to ensure seed purity and trait integrity
• Coordinate plant crossing and seed production activities with Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
• Ensure compliance with biotech trait requirements and applicable regulatory standards
• Utilize project management and data systems to track progress, timelines, and results
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders while operating independently on assigned projects
• Support readiness for upcoming field seasons

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline
• 5‑7+ years of relevant industry experience, preferably within agricultural biotech organizations
• Demonstrated experience working with CROs for both field and greenhouse seed production
• Strong working knowledge of biotech traits and regulatory considerations, molecular biology techniques

Preferred / Additional Experience

• Advanced degree in Biology, Molecular Biology, Plant Science, or related field
• Exposure to clonally propagated crops such as cassava
• Hands‑on experience with LIMS platforms and project management tools

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Contract

Job Function

Science and Project Management

Industries

Staffing and Recruiting; Biotechnology Research