Crop Innovation Scientist

Position Overview

Solis Agrosciences is seeking a Crop Innovation Scientist in St. Louis, MO specializing in plant transformation for gene‐edited and transgenic crops. In this pivotal role, you will conduct tissue culture experiments, develop innovative protocols, and collaborate with cross‐functional teams to advance AgTech research services, balancing breakthrough innovation with practical execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform tissue culture and transformation experiments by preparing media, explants, subculturing, sampling, screening tissues with various assays, and interpreting results.
• Research and develop new protocols and strategic experimental plans to onboard new technologies.
• Develop hypotheses for protocol and process improvements with a focus on quality, time, and cost-saving.
• Prioritize experiments to maximize business impact and ensure smooth transition of findings to production teams by developing standard operating procedures and training staff.
• Collaborate effectively with the transformation team, plant growth team, and molecular biologists to achieve shared research goals.
• Attend conferences and build connections to stay at the forefront of gene editing and crop improvement technologies.
• Maintain detailed records of project data, inventories, and experimental metrics while ensuring laboratory cleanliness and compliance with safety protocols.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate in a relevant field (Plant Biology, Plant Science, Cell Biology, Biology, Biotechnology, etc.) or equivalent scientific experience.
• Direct, hands-on experience with plant transformation techniques including media formulation, Agrobacterium culturing, subculturing, and plant regeneration.
• Proven experience in conducting tissue culture experiments with diverse crops and optimizing new tissue culture protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to create strategic project plans and execute them under tight timelines in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Excellent planning, organization, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in person in St. Louis, MO.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with gene-editing in plants.
• Experience with specialty-crop transformation.
• Knowledge of intellectual property and experience with software such as Smartsheet and Benchling.

Benefits & Perks

• 401(k) and 401(k) matching
• Dental, Health, and Vision insurance
• Flexible schedule and Paid time off
• Parental leave