Research Associate, Trait Characterization

About Elo

Elo is reimagining the future of food – empowering consumers to feel good about the food they eat every day. From unique plant-based sweeteners to saving crops like the banana from extinction, Elo harnesses the untapped potential of nature to make food tastier, healthier and resilient while requiring less from the planet.

We are headquartered in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, a world-renowned center for agtech, where we’ve expanded into a new, state of the art greenhouses that provide 10,000 sq. feet of space for our cornucopia of advanced crops. Backed by a strong investor base, we have raised $45 million to date, including a $20.5 funding round in the past year.

The Role:

Reporting to the Director, Trait Development, the selected candidate for Elo’s Research Associate, Trait Characterization will help grow, maintain and evaluate transgenic and edited plants in Elo’s greenhouse and controlled environment chamber facilities. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues in R&D and partner functions to ensure excellent care and handoff of candidate product plant genotypes.

Desired Qualifications Include:

Educational and hands-on background in the growth and evaluation of plants, e.g. horticulture, IPM, controlled environment agriculture, plant pathology, plant breeding and/or agronomy.
More than one year of experience growing and evaluating plants within a research or production greenhouse or controlled environment facility.

Key Competencies:

Ability to work independently, anticipate challenges, and proactively create creative solutions in the assigned area of expertise.
Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow through to ensure projects are completed in timely manner.
Flexible team player willing to do what it takes to get the job done; adaptable and enjoys new challenges each day.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with proven ability to influence, build trust, and mentor others in a matrixed organization.
Unyielding integrity and commitment to upholding Elo’s values.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Assist with planting, transplanting, watering, pesticide application, fertilization, trimming, measuring, pollinating, tissue sampling and seed collection of diverse crop species.
Carefully follow protocols and maintain rigorous organization and documentation of all plant material systems, and workflows using Elo’s electronic notebook and relational database.
Scout for pests and pathogens and maintain excellent control and clean facilities through proactive hygienic practices, appropriate control responses and IPM program. This position will require a pesticide applicator’s license – which can be obtained on the job post-employment, with the support of Elo.
Learn to program and maintain greenhouse and growth chamber equipment (on the job, with the support of Elo).
Assist in the design of new experiments and new greenhouse and growth chamber protocols.

The Successful Applicant:

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, plant science, agronomy or related field with at least 1 year full-time working experience in a research greenhouse or controlled environment facility; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience phenotyping transgenic crops in controlled environment facilities is appreciated.
Experience in production facilities (CEA, vertical farming, indoor farming) is appreciated.
Additional expertise is appreciated in optimization of lighting, irrigation and nutrient-supply systems and recipes; statistical analyses and data management; plant growth, plant pollination, breeding and tissue culture.
Has the ability to lift 50 lbs.

Compensation:

We offer a very competitive compensation package, consisting of salary, bonus, equity, and benefits to all team members. For health benefits we pay 100% of employees and their family members!

Elo Life Systems, Inc. is proud to be an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal laws.