Research Associate - Plant Trials

Overview

Kula Bio is at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, providing pioneering nitrogen solutions that empower farmers to increase crop yields and support environmental stewardship. Our cost-effective biofertilizer leverages and enhances a natural process to deliver significant, sustained nitrogen to the soil.

As a Research Associate you will work with the Discovery and Product Development team to plan and execute plant trials to validate product efficacy and test product prototypes. This role will focus on development, implementation, and data collection from plant assays that will lead to understanding the performance of the production. On a regular day, you will support validation of product efficacy through experimental design and setup.

You will implement crop growth protocols, handle microbial cultures, collect assay data, and present results. You will cultivate plants in controlled environmental conditions, monitor plant health and collect key data on plant growth, use and maintain laboratory equipment, and work closely with the broader team in a collaborative effort to meet project goals and timelines.

• Plan and execute plant trials to validate product efficacy and test product prototypes as part of the Discovery and Product Development team.
• Develop, implement, and collect data from plant assays to understand product performance.
• Support validation of product efficacy through experimental design and setup.
• Implement crop growth protocols, handle microbial cultures, collect assay data, and present results.
• Cultivate plants in controlled environmental conditions, monitor plant health, and collect key data on plant growth; use and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Collaborate with the broader team to meet project goals and timelines.

• BS in Plant Biology, Plant Science, Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, or related sciences with at least 1 year of relevant hands-on research experience.
• Experience working in greenhouses, controlled environmental chambers, and research fields.
• Experience with plant care and maintenance including seed germination, propagation, seedling care, transplantation, nutrient and fertilizer delivery, plant phenotyping, and stress monitoring.
• Ability to perform hands-on work in greenhouse, outdoor, and laboratory environments, including standing for extended periods and lifting moderate weights up to 50 lbs. (e.g., trays, soil, supplies).
• Skilled at implementing standard experimental protocols and workflows including appropriate application of nutrients and/or amendments according to experimental design. Experience working in wet lab settings and practicing safe handling of chemicals and biologicals.
• Experience with good aseptic technique including handling microorganisms or microbial products under sterile conditions.
• Proficiency in data collection, management, and presentation including experience in use of Excel and PowerPoint – experience with Prism or other statistical analysis software is ideal.
• Proficiency in lab record keeping including good note taking practices – experience with electronic lab notebooks like Sci Note is ideal.
• Strong critical thinking skills, demonstrating an ability to identify failure points, troubleshoot experiments, and propose practical solutions.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to clearly communicate progress, challenges, and results.
• Willing to work in a collaborative, timeline-driven environment.

Salary range $60,000 - $65,000 per year