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Senior Research Associate Crop Transformation

Vylor

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At a glance

Compensation
No compensation found
Location
Johnston, IA
Role Type
Research
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

Vylor’s Crop Genome Engineering group in Johnston, Iowa, seeks a Senior Research Associate to support multi-crop genome editing projects. The role focuses on developing tissue culture systems for crop transformation and genome editing using diverse explant types, with work primarily at the bench. The associate will collaborate across functions and contribute to transformation methods, technology development, experiments, and support for production laboratories.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Plant BiologyBiotechnologyCell and Tissue CulturePlant TransformationMulti-Crop Transformation ResearchIndependent WorkMultitaskingPlanningOrganizationCritical ThinkingProblem SolvingWritten CommunicationVerbal Communication

Qualifications

Master's in Biology or Related FieldBachelor's With 2-5 Years Industry Experience

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave
401(k) Match
Tuition Assistance

Full 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.

Vylor’s Crop Genome Engineering group in Johnston, Iowa, is seeking a highly motivated, organized individual with extensive experience optimizing transformation across multiple crops for a full-time Senior Research Associate Crop Transformation position. Working primarily at the bench, the SRA will play a key role in multi-crop genome editing projects and collaborate across functions to develop tissue culture systems for crop transformation and genome editing using diverse explant types, including immature embryos, embryonic axes, leaves, internodes, and protoplasts.

Responsibilities - What You’ll Do:

  • Design and implement innovative methods for multi-crop transformation.

  • Contribute to technology development and process improvement through experimental planning, hypothesis testing, observation, and data collection and analysis.

  • Adhere to company safety policies, protocols, and procedures to maintain a safe workplace for yourself and team members.

  • Support team operations, including explant preparation, equipment and culture room maintenance, media evaluation or improvement, process improvement, and information management.

  • Conduct experiments and provide technical support while fostering a respectful, collaborative, and positive team environment.

  • Prepare summaries and reports for supervisors and present findings at internal or external meetings as needed.

  • Supply protocols and deliver training to production laboratories.

Qualifications- What You Need:

  • Master’s degree in biology or a related field strongly preferred; a bachelor’s degree with 2–5 years of industry experience will also be considered.

  • General knowledge of plant biology and biotechnology. Working knowledge and experience with cell and tissue culture and plant transformation are highly desired.

  • Proven track record of success on executing multi-crop transformation research projects and hands-on experience in plant transformation system.

  • Independent worker who can perform under tight timelines with the ability to change course as needed.

  • Ability to multi-task and take on new assignments as necessary.

  • Excellent planner, organizer, critical thinker, and problem solver, with a demonstrated ability to efficiently execute project tasks.

  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.

***Please note there is no visa sponsorship provided 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 - Vylor Benefits (https://hrportal.ehr.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=joPuo3NxhtM%3d&portalid=423)

  • Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/

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

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.

How this job compares

Set against the 1,110 open Research Associate jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 6, 2026.

Pay
  • This postingNot listed
  • US median$70–100K/yr382 salary ranges
  • US median$18–20/hr125 hourly ranges
Openings
Olive Jobs lists 11 open Research Associate jobs in Iowa and 1,110 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Experience
This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience — more than three in four Research Associate postings that state a minimum ask for (median 2 years, across 287 postings).
Education
619 of the 1,110 open Research Associate jobs (56%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 6, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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