SPD Research Intern – Native Traits

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.

Join us at Vylor for an exciting and impactful 3-month summer internship within our research and development organization in Johnston, Iowa .

This position resides within the Seed Product Development Native Traits team. This team enables Seed Product Development by providing genomics tools and knowledge that influence and improve the breeding strategy of Native Traits for corn, soy, canola, sunflower, mustard, millet, rice, cotton, sorghum, and wheat. In addition, our group provides molecular pathology and genomics expertise to support Vylor’s North American Pathology team.

The Native Traits team is seeking a motivated intern to contribute to our molecular pathology projects. During this 12-week summer internship, the intern will use wet-lab molecular biology techniques in combination with computer science skills to assist with marker discovery, development, and validation to aid in the detection and monitoring of key target plant pathogens.

• Collaborative Research: Work alongside a supervisor to develop, validate, and deploy molecular tools for global implementation. Participate in focused phases of research including planning, preparation, evaluation, and analysis.
• Critical Thinking: Demonstrate independent and creative thinking by making observations, interpreting project data, and drawing sound scientific conclusions.
• Project Management & Presentation: Manage a defined research project, culminating in a poster presentation near the end of the internship.
• Cross-Functional Teamwork: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to reach research goals.
• Safety First: Work in a safe and responsible manner, wear appropriate PPE when required, and embody Vylor’s safety culture.

• Education Status: Must be enrolled at an accredited university at the time of the internship. Priority will be given to students who are at least current sophomores in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Location &
  
  Hours:
  
  Able to work full-time (40 hours per week) and relocate to Johnston, Iowa for the 3-month duration of the internship.
• Technical Lab
  
  Skills:
  
  Hands-on experience in wet-lab molecular biology techniques, specifically DNA/RNA isolation
  , PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, and other molecular tests.
• Sterile/Aseptic Technique:
  
  Demonstrated proficiency in sterile technique
  , as the role frequently involves plating, culturing, and maintaining fungal and bacterial plant pathogens on artificial media.
• Recommended Coursework: Completion of basic biological science curriculum, including one or more classes in microbiology, biochemistry, and basic laboratory research methods
  .
• Data Management: Ability to manage and maintain scientific data sets. Experience in a scientific programming language (Python, R) is desirable but not required.
• Work Environment: Willingness to work in lab, greenhouse, or field environments, and collaborate effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Soft Skills: Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills.

Location: Johnston, Iowa

Duration: 3 Months (Full-Time, 40 hours/week)

Target Dates: May 10, 2027 – August 13, 2027 (approx. 12 weeks, with flexibility)

Are you a good match? We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative…