Logo
Ohalo Genetics

Research Associate II, Trait Discovery

Ohalo Genetics, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199

Save Job

Overview

Ohalois seeking a

Research Associate II

to join our R&D team, working closely with the Trait Discovery Lead to uncover and prototype gene-edited traits that drive our crop products, including the Boosted Breeding system. This role integrates wet lab and dry lab approaches—from tissue culture and molecular biology to genomics and bioinformatics—to design, validate, and deploy novel traits in our portfolio crops. You will work in a fast-paced, dynamic R&D environment, using state-of-the-art techniques in plant genetics, with significant opportunities to learn and grow. This position is ideal for someone eager to expand their expertise while making direct contributions to cutting-edge trait discovery research. Responsibilities

Execute plant transformation and gene editing workflows (such as protoplast preparation, transfection, and plant regeneration). Perform molecular biology experiments including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, genotyping, and other molecular assays. Provide support for candidate gene and genomic variation curation using in-house genomic resources, integrating wet lab data with computational analyses. Collaborate across R&D teams on research projects. Collaborate closely with crop teams to support trait validation in greenhouse and growth chamber assays. Analyze, interpret, and clearly communicate experimental results. Conduct literature reviews and summarize relevant research articles to inform trait discovery strategies. Draft and refine SOPs; identify opportunities to improve workflows. Maintain organized records in an electronic notebook, shared lab resources, and equipment. Qualifications

B.S. in Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or related field with 2–3 years of lab experience, or M.S. with 1+ years’ experience. Solid understanding of plant molecular genetics. Strong hands-on skills in plant molecular biology (PCR, genotyping). Experience with plant tissue culture. Basic bioinformatic skills such as data retrieval from common databases, multiple sequence alignment, and genomic variation analysis. Ability to read, interpret, and summarize scientific literature relevant to plant genetics and trait discovery. Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently. Effective communicator and collaborative team player. Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Solanaceae or other crop systems and gene editing workflows (e.g., CRISPR/Cas). Familiarity with genomics/bioinformatics tools for SNP/indel analysis and trait discovery. Experience with greenhouse or field phenotyping. Demonstrated ability to draft SOPs and optimize protocols. Demonstrated ability to leverage AI tools such as Cursor, ChatGPT to build customized bioinformatic scripts and workflows. There is no visa sponsorship available for this position. We are an in-office company requiring in-person work at the listed location. About Ohalo Genetics

Ohalo aims to accelerate evolution to unlock nature's potential. Founded in 2019, Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our population. Ohalo's breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. For more information, visit www.ohalo.com.

#J-18808-Ljbffr