Research Associate, Research Scientist

we are mindful, original, & bold at phospholutions, our mission is simple. We are enhancing the efficiency of global phosphorus use. Phospholutions, inc. Is an award‑winning and venture‑backed agtech start‑up company enhancing global phosphorus use. Phospholutions is experiencing exponential growth after the commercial launch and now rapid global expansion of our proprietary rhizosorb® technology. This technology helps to lower the environmental impact of fertilizers and is optimizing the use of inputs for growers resulting in better plant health.

Supported by years of university research, extensive field testing, and backed by leading industry investors, our team is focused on the global expansion of rhizosorb® technology. To support our team, we are hiring a research associate
. This is an on‑site position at our company’s headquarters in state college, pa and will report to our senior materials scientist.

if you are a resourceful, focused and innovative research professional who enjoys problem solving, have great attention to detail, exercise good judgment, and are able to maintain a safe research laboratory, we highly encourage you to apply for this position!

we value energy, passion, authenticity, creativity…and results! The individual hired for this position will assume ownership of and perform a diverse range of tasks, becoming an indispensable partner to our research & development (r&d) team by helping to manage, implement, and achieve critical r&d objectives and strategies. Immediate tasks include managing the intake, storage and rapid testing of granular fertilizer samples produced for both commercial and research use, independently planning and executing lab experiments and quality control testing while following standard operating procedures (sops) ensuring consistency in protocol execution.

The research associate will serve as a liaison to internal colleagues regarding laboratory studies/projects and will work alongside other members of the r&d team, playing an instrumental role in the company by executing experiments that have material impact on our company’s success.

• prepare samples of granular products for quality control experiments including ph analysis, moisture, bulk and tap density, crush strength, filtering, size distribution by sieving, measuring, etc.
• communicate with internal teams and outside partners across production, warehousing, and logistics to ensure samples are properly labeled, packaged, and shipped for quality control testing and to align research objectives with business needs.

• prepare standards and chemical reagents (i.e. Acids, bases, alcohols, etc.) for use in completing experiments, troubleshooting, testing, and data acquisition.
• support experimental design, research planning, and data analysis.
• collaborate with other r&d team members to develop and carry out tests, experiments and studies to include:
  • phosphorus adsorption and desorption studies
  • raw material characterization
  • soil and water testing
  • nutrient leaching experiments
  • soil nutrient incubation and nutrient release studies
• develop a company‑specific scientific knowledge inventory of various materials and their impacts on phosphorus‑soil behavior.
• perform quantitative and qualitative analysis on raw materials using laboratory experimentation.

• troubleshoot instrumentation and ensure proper repair as needed.
• maintain a high level of scientific integrity and laboratory safety.
• record and manage experimental procedures and data in proper database and notebook structures.
• organize, maintain, and manage small‑scale laboratory equipment, supplies, and chemical inventory.
• prepare, setup, operate, tear down, and clean all equipment, materials, and supplies for lab experiments.
• translate and communicate research findings and complex statistical information to stakeholders.
• prepare verbal and written technical reports and presentations to explain experimental findings.

• demonstrated success prioritizing and managing work requests from multiple sources and in…