Mendel Sustainability Trait Technology Bioenergy Seeds

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Job Openings

Job Openings

Mendel's state-of-the-art gene discovery and plant growth facilities are situated in the San Francisco Bay area. We offer an exciting and challenging scientific environment plus an attractive package of salary, stock options, and benefits, including a 401(k) plan. EOE.

Current openings



Research Associate/Research Scientist - Agronomy (Lafayette, IN)

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. invites applications for a highly motivated individual, who can work both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team, to develop and implement agronomic trials in the areas of seed and plug planting & establishment, weed & pest control, fertilizer requirements and harvest for new cultivars of high-biomass perennial grasses for the biofuel and power markets at Mendel's Lafayette, IN research station. The successful candidate will report to the Sr. Manger, Agronomy & Station Operations. The goal of the Mendel agronomy program is to develop scalable establishment and management practices for new varieties of perennial grass species that will supply sustainable feed-stocks for second generation biofuels.

Responsibilities

The Research Scientist/Associate - Agronomy will have primary responsibility for overseeing the development and implementation of field experiments focused on developing planting and establishment protocols for new seed-propagated cultivars of Miscanthus for the U.S. market. The program focuses on evaluating seed, planter and herbicide technologies to enable direct seeding of small grass seeds, along with testing crop management practices to maximize sustainable biomass yield and minimize invasive potential. The Research Scientist/Associate - Agronomy will coordinate trials at research sites throughout the Midwest and South-Eastern U.S. They will be responsible for planning and conducting agronomic research trials, training and supervising research support staff (including full-time, temporary and seasonal employees), and maintaining a safe and effective workplace.

The Agronomist will directly interact with colleagues in the agronomy, breeding, seed physiology, product development and station management areas. This position provides an opportunity to research best agronomic practices for the highest yielding cultivars of the premier dedicated perennial biomass crop for temperate US production regions. The work will be based primarily in the field, greenhouse and office. The candidate should be willing to travel, up to 30%, to remote field sites.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement field trials (small-plot to large field) including seed preparation for planting, scheduling and operation of planting equipment, irrigation, chemical application, plot maintenance and harvesting.
  • Apply agronomic techniques from other cropping systems to secure more efficient production, higher yield and improved quality in this new crop.
  • Develop methods for improved and efficient planting, cultivation, harvest and control of weeds, diseases and pests.
  • Consult with contracted growers & academic and commercial research collaborators on crop performance and agronomic method efficacy.
  • Collaborate with colleagues undertaking similar trials at other sites within the US
  • Conduct field observations, collect data and images for analysis.
  • Analyze & interpret data and develop appropriate summary reports and presentations.
  • Recruit, train and supervise research support personnel.

Qualifications Required:

  • Ph.D. or MS in Agronomy, Crop/Soil/Weed Science or related fields.
  • Strong theoretical and practical background in field crop research and production, field plot technique, experimental design, statistical analysis, and planting and harvesting techniques.
  • Ability to understand or quickly learn our markets and identify commercially relevant production systems for our new products.
  • Technical proficiency in spreadsheet software, database applications, data collection techniques and sound analytical skills.
  • Ability to work well as part of a multidisciplinary and decentralized team.
  • Strong interpersonal and personal leadership skills are essential to successfully lead teams and people and understand the importance of developing the careers of direct reports.

Preferred:

  • 3-5 years experience in a commercial or research agronomy position.
  • Experience working with perennial grasses (turf, native grasses, forage grasses, ornamental grasses) or biomass or forage crops.
  • Experience establishing small seeded species (direct seeding or seed-to-plug)
  • Participated in herbicide or fertilizer research trials

Recognition of the importance of compliance with State, Federal and corporate regulations and the importance of promoting a strong culture of employee health and safety are required. Must be U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the U.S. Must hold and maintain standard driver's license.

Resumes should be submitted directly to job163@mendelbio.com

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Research Scientist - Plant Breeder (Tifton, GA)

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. seeks a highly motivated individual, who can work both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team, to breed new cultivars of high-biomass grasses at Mendel's Tifton, GA research station. The successful candidate will be the lead scientist at Mendel's new main southern research station and will report to the Manger, Plant Breeding. The goal of the Mendel variety development program is to develop new cultivars of perennial grass species that will supply sustainable feed-stocks for second generation biofuels.

Responsibilities

The Research Scientist - Plant Breeder will have primary responsibility for managing a breeding program focused on developing new seed-propagated cultivars of Miscanthus for the southern U.S. market. The program focuses on enhancing crop performance and local adaptation. The scope of the program will include population improvement through to parent identification and multi-location testing of potential cultivars. The Plant Breeder will manage trials at test sites throughout the southern U.S. They will be responsible for all assigned breeding activities, training and supervising research support staff (including full-time, temporary and seasonal employees), and maintaining a safe and effective workplace.

The Plant Breeder will directly interact with pre-breeding, molecular markers, tissue culture, agronomy and product development. This position provides an opportunity to work with the best Miscanthus germplasm in the U.S. to develop commercial products for what should become the most important bioenergy feedstock production region in North America. The work will be based in the field, greenhouse, laboratory and office. The candidate should be willing to travel, up to 30%, to remote field sites.

Responsibilities

  • Manage a seed-propagated Miscanthus cultivar development program for the southern U.S. market.
  • Use the latest breeding technologies to quickly develop superior products.
  • Develop and manage a multi-location testing program.
  • Analyze data over locations and years.
  • Recruit, train and supervise research support personnel.
Qualifications Required:
  • Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics or related fields.
  • 3-5 years experience in a commercial plant breeding position.
  • Strong background in applied plant breeding, genetics, hybrid breeding and heterotic relationships, field plot technique, experimental design, statistical analysis, and molecular maker applications.
  • Ability to understand or quickly learn our markets and the factors that add value in new products.
  • Technical proficiency in spreadsheet software, database applications, data collection techniques and sound analytical skills.
  • Ability to work well as part of multidisciplinary and decentralized team.
  • Strong interpersonal and personal leadership skills are essential to successfully lead teams and people and understand the importance of developing the careers of direct reports.
Preferred:
  • Experience establishing a research station.
  • Experience breeding perennial grasses.

Recognition of the importance of compliance with procedures for transgenic traits and the importance of promoting a strong culture of employee health and safety are required. Must be U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the U.S. Must hold and maintain standard driver's license.

Resumes should be submitted directly to job162@mendelbio.com

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Clonal Propagation + Transplant Production Manager (Hayward, CA)

The MBS Clonal Propagation + Transplant Production Manager position is a production and supply chain management position. It requires an understanding of practical, applied plant propagation and production logistics, as well as the ability to optimize operational resources, staff and partner relationships, to develop a supply chain program that delivers commercial transplants for the establishment of Miscanthus plantations for the emerging biofuels and power industries. The position will be supported by cell biology scientists and tissue culture specialists who will research and develop the basic, applied protocols to be used in the program.

The key objectives for the job are:

  • Secure the supply of tissue culture propagated plants to the MBS Breeding, Agronomy, Product Development and Seed Production programs for clonally propagated Miscanthus spp. varieties, parent lines and breeding lines to meet MBS program requirements.
  • Provide source material for commercial production of field ready transplants from clonal material including tissue culture plants and field grown stocks.
  • Organize, develop and manage a reliable supply chain methodology and logistic for clonally propagated Miscanthus, that is integrated with the operations of plant production partners to meet commercial production targets.

The skill set required to be successful in this position combines an operational logistics mind set with as knowledge of plant propagation and production practices. Experience in transplant production nurseries, manufacturing, commercial tissue culture, or other high output production setting is a plus. Requirements for the job are good communication, organization, and staff management skills, as well as budget planning + management, and the ability to effectively develop and manage outside partnerships. An MS in plant science is required and experience in transplant production nurseries, manufacturing processes, commercial tissue culture, or other high output production settings is a plus.

Resumes should be submitted directly to job160@mendelbio.com

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Research Associate - Agronomy (Bowling Green, KY/Tifton, GA)

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. invites applications for a highly motivated individual, who can work both independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team, to develop and implement agronomic trials in the areas of seed and plug planting & establishment, weed & pest control, fertilizer requirements and harvest for new cultivars of high-biomass perennial grasses for the biofuel and power markets at Mendel's Bowling Green, KY and Tifton, GA research stations. The successful candidate will report to the Sr. Manger, Agronomy & Station Operations. The goal of the Mendel agronomy program is to develop scalable establishment and management practices for new varieties of perennial grass species that will supply sustainable feed-stocks for second generation biofuels.

Responsibilities

The Research Associate - Agronomy will have responsibility for contributing to the development and implementation of field experiments focused on developing planting and establishment protocols for new seed-propagated cultivars of Miscanthus for the U.S. market. The program focuses on evaluating seed, planter and herbicide technologies to enable direct seeding of small grass seeds, along with testing crop management practices to maximize sustainable biomass yield and minimize invasive potential. The Research Associate - Agronomy will assist with the coordination of trials at research sites throughout the Midwest and South-Eastern U.S. They will assist with planning and conducting agronomic research trials, training and supervising research support staff (including temporary and seasonal employees), and maintaining a safe and effective workplace.

The work will be based primarily in the field, greenhouse and office. The candidate should be willing to travel, up to 30%, to remote field sites.

Responsibilities

  • Provide support for the development and implementation of field trials (small-plot to large field) including seed preparation for planting, scheduling and operation of planting equipment, irrigation, chemical application, plot maintenance and harvesting.
  • Investigate and recommend the application of agronomic techniques from other cropping systems to secure more efficient production, higher yield and improved quality in this new crop.
  • Assist in the development of methods for improved and efficient planting, cultivation, harvest and control of weeds, diseases and pests.
  • Work with contracted growers & academic and commercial research collaborators on crop performance and agronomic method efficacy.
  • Conduct field observations, collect data and images for analysis.
  • Recruit, train and supervise support personnel.

Qualifications Required:

  • B.S. in Agronomy, Crop/Soil/Weed Science or related fields.
  • Academic and/or practical background in field crop research and production, field plot technique, experimental design, statistical analysis, and planting and harvesting techniques.
  • Technical aptitude in spreadsheet software, database applications, data collection techniques and sound analytical skills.
  • Ability to work well as part of a multidisciplinary and decentralized team.
  • Strong interpersonal and personal leadership skills are essential to successfully lead teams and people.

Preferred:

  • 1-3 years experience in a commercial or research agronomy position.
  • Experience working with perennial grasses (turf, native grasses, forage grasses, ornamental grasses) or biomass or forage crops.
  • Experience establishing small seeded species (direct seeding or seed-to-plug)
  • Participated in herbicide or fertilizer research trials

Recognition of the importance of compliance with State, Federal and corporate regulations and the importance of promoting a strong culture of employee health and safety are required. Must be U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the U.S. Must hold and maintain standard driver's license. To apply, please send a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for three references (including email addresses) to job158@mendelbio.com

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Research Associates - Plant Breeding (Tifton, GA; Lafayette, IN)

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. invites applications for multiple Research Associate positions at sites in Georgia and Indiana. The successful candidates will serve on a team and provide primary support to the plant breeder. The goal of the program is to develop new varieties of perennial grass species that will supply sustainable feed-stocks for second generation biofuels. Duties include assisting with planting, growing plants in the greenhouse and field, collecting data, making crosses, processing seed, and harvesting. The work will be based in the field, greenhouse, laboratory and office. Candidates will work in close coordination with site agronomy and station management personnel. An additional responsibility will be the supervision of temporary employees. The candidate should be willing to travel up to 30% to remote field sites.

Mendel seeks candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in plant breeding, agronomy, plant science or a related discipline; a master's degree is preferred. Must be able to operate conventional farming equipment; a farm background is highly desirable. Proficiency with database management and/or spreadsheet software is required. Effective communication, leadership, organizational and record-keeping skills are sought. The successful applicant will be able to think and work independently, with minimum supervision, yet as part of a coordinated team. Experience conducting field experiments is highly desirable. Must be U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the U.S. Must hold and maintain standard driver's license.

In addition to the above regular positions, Mendel seeks undergraduate students with similar backgrounds for part-time or summer work programs at the locations listed above. Candidates should specify their intent to apply for these positions, including the date of their intended degree completion.

Resumes should be submitted directly to job159@mendelbio.com

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Research Chemist/Chemical Biologist (Hayward, CA)

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc., invites applications for a Ph.D. Research Scientist position in the Chemical Genetics team. The candidate will be responsible for the design, optimization and implementation of high-throughput assays to discover chemicals that modulate genetic pathways controlling agronomically valuable traits. Candidates must have a strong background in organic chemistry and have direct experience with high-throughput assays and the analysis of large data sets. Preference will be given to individuals with cheminformatics experience, including the use of data mining packages for hit discovery and selection. Familiarity with plant biology (especially Arabidopsis genetics) is highly desirable.

The ability to communicate clearly and perform well in a highly collaborative scientific environment is essential. The selected candidate will be expected to work closely with experts in computational biology, plant genetics and chemistry to discover and develop the next generation of agrochemicals that directly regulate plant signaling pathways.

Applicants must have a doctorate degree in a relevant scientific discipline and must be a U.S. citizen or be eligible to work in the U.S.

To apply, please send an email to job126@mendelbio.com with the email body describing your interest in the position and your CV (including three references) attached as a PDF, Word document or text file.


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Research Associate - Line Breeding (Hayward, CA)

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc. invites applications for a Research Associate position to serve on a team and provide primary support to the plant line breeder. The goal of the program is to develop genetic mapping populations and elite parental lines of perennial grass species that will be used for trait-marker association studies and new variety development for high yield biomass crops.

Duties include assisting with planting, growing plants in the greenhouse and field, collecting data, making crosses, processing seed, and harvesting. The work will be based in greenhouse, laboratory and field. Candidates will work in close coordination with molecular biologists and breeders. An additional responsibility will be the supervision of temporary employees for plant care. The candidate should be willing to travel to remote field sites.

Mendel seeks candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in plant breeding, agronomy, plant science or a related discipline; a master's degree is preferred. A strong knowledge and research experience in molecular genetics and plant breeding is highly desirable. Proficiency with database management and/or spreadsheet software is required. Effective communication, leadership, organizational and record-keeping skills are sought. The successful applicant will be able to think and work independently, with minimum supervision, yet as part of a coordinated team. Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the U.S.

To apply, please send a letter of interest, CV, and contact information for three references (including email addresses) to job78@mendelbio.com

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Plant Care Assistant (Hayward, CA)

Mendel Biotechnology, Inc., invites applications for entry level, Part/Full Time Plant Care Assistant positions. The successful applicant will participate in caring for and growing experimental plant materials. Duties include pot filling, watering, staking, bagging, harvesting, processing seeds and all preparatory and clean-up steps involved. Participation in Integrated Pest Management Program including monitoring pests, application of beneficial insects, and occasional pesticide application is required.

Applicants must be responsible, reliable, able to work independently and with a group, able to lift 50 to 70 lbs., and have a keen attention to details. Experience in Pest Management is desirable.

Applications, including the names, mailing addresses, and e-mail addresses of at least 2 references should be submitted to job72@mendelbio.com

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