Senior Scientist – Seed Production & Traits

Senior Scientist – Seed Production & Trait Integration (Contract)

Location: St. Louis, MO

Schedule: Monday – Friday | Hybrid (minimum 3 days per week on-site in St. Louis)

Job Type: Contract (12 months, potential extension) with full benefits

Target Pay Rate: $58–78/hour, depending on directly relevant experience and skills

Due to the contract nature of the role, and the on‑site interview requirement, we are only accepting applications of candidates located in or within commuting distance of St. Louis, MO at this time.

Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking a Senior Scientist – Seed Production & Trait Integration for a 12‑month contract assignment. This is a highly visible, hands‑on role supporting product development and field readiness. The position was newly created to centralize responsibilities currently distributed across multiple team members and will play a critical role in preparation for the upcoming field season.

As the Senior Scientist, you will serve as a dedicated technical lead within the Product Development team, managing seed production planning, molecular quality control, trait integration, and CRO coordination. You will work closely with internal partners while owning key workflows essential to field and greenhouse programs.

• Plan and oversee seed production activities for field and greenhouse programs
• Manage molecular assay‑based quality control testing to ensure seed purity and trait integrity
• Coordinate plant crossing and seed production activities with Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
• Lead trait integration efforts across multiple crop platforms
• Ensure compliance with biotech trait requirements and applicable regulatory standards
• Utilize project management and data systems to track progress, timelines, and results
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders while operating independently on assigned projects
• Support readiness for upcoming field seasons

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline (Biology, Molecular Biology, Plant Science, or related field)
• Minimum 5 post‑academic years of relevant industry experience, preferably in agricultural biotech
• Demonstrated experience working with CROs for field and greenhouse seed production
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Biotech traits and regulatory considerations
  • Molecular biology techniques
  • Basic plant genetics
• Strong communication skills and ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment

• Experience supporting multiple crop systems (soybean, cowpea, corn) in an industry setting
• 7+ years of agricultural biotech experience
• Exposure to clonally propagated crops such as cassava
• LIMS platforms (e.g., Benchling, Phenome)
• Project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet)

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work‑related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short‑term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account.

In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce.

Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it’s the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.