Molecular Biologist
TLDR
Develop and expand hydroponic crop varieties using genetic engineering, computational modeling, and genomic approaches to improve yield and quality in controlled environments.
Role – The Molecular Biologist will work to develop a set of crops to best suit Local Roots’ hydroponic TerraFarm growing conditions. They will be tasked with creating, implementing, and expanding new plant species to more efficiently grow food and feed more people around the globe.
Responsibilities – You should be confident making significant contributions in the following categories:
- Plan and execute genetics research and development programs around big opportunities for improved yield and quality of crops grown in controlled environment conditions utilizing cutting edge genetic engineering techniques
- Conduct experimental research into modifications that may be beneficial to plants grown under indoor, hydroponic conditions
- Implement computational cellular modeling for current cultivars of leafy green and herb species
- Develop populations, collect and analyze phenotypic data, and apply genomic resources to identify and enable gene variants using modern linkage and association based mapping approaches
- Utilize available technologies to enhance trait discovery work, including causal gene identification, the integration of editing technology to modern mapping approaches, and the support of next generation vegetable products
- Maintain organized records of all project data
Requirements – Your background should include the following:
- PhD in Computational Biology, Systems Biology, Computational Genetics or a related field
- 5+ years’ experience in developing research strategies in molecular plant biology
- Understanding of Deep Learning, advanced Machine Learning, and statistical methods applied to integrated analysis of biological datasets
- Strong analytical and communication skills
Bonus Skills – Bonus points if any of these also describe you:
- History of mentoring and leading colleagues
- Experience creating patented genetic material in plants and producing them at a commercial level
- Experience in breeding
- Expertise in leafy greens, herbs, berries, and other relevant crops
Local Roots Farms is transforming agriculture by designing and operating indoor farming projects that provide high-quality, locally-grown produce. Catering to health-conscious consumers, we leverage innovative technologies to grow food using 99% less water and without pesticides or herbicides, pushing the boundaries of what sustainable farming can achieve.