Senior Biological Research Scientist

Create the future of agriculture! Farmers can lose the majority of their crops without pest control. At the same time, there are concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of traditional chemical controls. These concerns have led to regulation and outright bans on specific pesticides around the globe. Farmers and society demand climate- and eco-friendly alternatives to control pests. Our company, Pheronym, turned to nature to win the battle against pests.

We chose pheromones, communication signals, to protect our crops. Pheronym uses nematode pheromones to control agricultural pests, providing climate-friendly alternatives to soil fumigants and improving soil health. In other words, Pheronym enables farmers to control pests in the soil using climate- and eco-friendly solutions.

Create the future of agriculture! Farmers can lose the majority of their crops without pest control. At the same time, there are concerns about the toxicity and environmental impact of traditional chemical controls. These concerns have led to regulation and outright bans on specific pesticides around the globe. Farmers and society demand climate- and eco-friendly alternatives to control pests. Our company, Pheronym, turned to nature to win the battle against pests.

We chose pheromones, communication signals, to protect our crops. Pheronym uses nematode pheromones to control agricultural pests, providing climate-friendly alternatives to soil fumigants and improving soil health. In other words, Pheronym enables farmers to control pests in the soil using climate- and eco-friendly solutions.

Responsibilities

The candidate will:

• Establish laboratory procedures and lead experimental projects to scale nematode pheromone production via fermentation in shaker flasks and bioreactors.
• Work with partners to scale pheromone production, set up, operate, and monitor fermentation processes from 1 to 10 L, and operate associated sensors and lab equipment.
• Conduct small and medium-scale nematode fermentation, meet deadlines, recognize and resolve problems, and work with insects, nematodes, bacteria, bioassays, and pheromones.
• Make recommendations on experimental design and research directions.
• Conduct complex experiments independently to gather data for major projects.
• Interpret results, modify procedures, and develop new protocols as needed.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams across partners.
• Perform literature reviews to stay current and apply findings to research.
• Oversee supply and equipment budgets.
• Follow safety guidelines, serve as safety officer, and develop SOPs.
• Maintain a high standard of lab safety and support safe operations.
• Perform tasks requiring PPE, such as protective clothing and gloves.
• Supervise staff, trainees, or students as needed.
• Serve as a technical resource and oversee lab activities, maintenance, and inventory.
• Use microscopes and perform physical tasks as required.
• Handle confidential data responsibly.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The candidate should have:

• Experience with cell biology, biochemistry, and chemical ecology; initiative, motivation, and ability to work independently and in teams.
• Project management experience.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, reagents, and equipment.
• Proven microbiological skills, aseptic techniques (BSL1 and BSL2), and experience with behavioral assays.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and adapt to a startup environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate research findings effectively.
• Mathematical skills and experience with lab protocols and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with computers and safety data sheets.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional overtime.
• Ability to work safely with insects, nematodes, and microorganisms.
• Good eyesight, dexterity, and physical ability to perform research duties.
• Willingness to work with hazardous materials safely.
• Educational requirements:
  
  Ph.D. (0-2 yrs experience) or B.S. (6-10 yrs experience) in relevant fields.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in startups or agricultural business.
• Experience with soil microbes or nematode process development.
• Expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, or analytical chemistry.
• Additional benefits include health insurance, 401k, paid time off, and more.

We value diversity and are committed to an inclusive workplace. Pheronym is an equal opportunity employer. Join us to develop innovative, environmentally safe technologies for sustainable agriculture.

This position requires in-person work in Woodland, CA.