Research Associate- Fungicide Bioassay
Greenlight Biosciences
ABOUT GREENLIGHT
GreenLight Biosciences is using RNA to create a world where plants, people, and the planet can thrive together. The company is developing highly effective agricultural solutions for farmers and beekeepers that are targeted to specific pests and degrade quickly in the environment. Our pipeline includes products to protect honeybees and a range of fruits and vegetables. The GreenLight platform allows us to research, design, and manufacture across multiple product categories including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides.
For more information, visit www.greenlightbio.com.
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Associate to join our discovery team focused on the development of novel biopesticides. This role offers an exciting opportunity to support lab and greenhouse-based experiments that help evaluate the efficacy of novel fungicide candidates. The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience working with plants and pathogens, a strong sense of scientific curiosity, and a desire to contribute to environmentally responsible crop protection solutions. This position is well-suited for early-career professionals looking to deepen their technical expertise and grow in a collaborative, mission-driven R&D environment.
Major Responsibilities
- Assist in the design and execution of in vitro and in vivo (on-plant) assays to evaluate the efficacy of candidate biopesticides against fungal pathogens
- Prepare fungal cultures and plant materials for inoculation, ensuring accurate and consistent setup of experiments
- Perform disease assessments and phenotypic observations, following established protocols with attention to detail and reproducibility
- Maintain accurate and well-organized records of experimental methods and results; support data entry and basic analysis
- Collaborate with team members across functions—including formulation, molecular biology, and field biology—to support project goals
- Monitor lab and greenhouse experiments, troubleshoot routine technical issues, and timely report more complex problems as needed
- Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized work environment, adhering to company Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards
- Contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture focused on continuous improvement and scientific excellence
Required Qualifications
- Familiarity with fungal pathogens and plant handling in laboratory and/or greenhouse settings
- Ability to follow detailed experimental protocols and record data accurately
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with guidance
- Collaborative mindset and effective communication skills
- Eagerness to learn and contribute to a purpose-driven scientific team
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience conducting bioassays for fungicides or other crop protection products (e.g., insecticides, herbicides)
- Exposure to statistical tools or software for experimental analysis (e.g., Excel, GraphPad, R, JMP, LIMS, ELN)
- Interest in sustainable agriculture and integrated pest management
- Ability to assist in resolving assay or cultivation-related technical issues with team support
Education:
- B.S. or M.S. in Plant Pathology, Plant Biology, Agronomy, or a related field.
- B.S. with 2+ years of relevant industry experience
- M.S. with relevant research experience
Greenlight Biosciences Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.