Plant Tissue Culture & Transformation, Research Associate / Scientist

Research Associate / Scientist, Plant Tissue Culture & Transformation

Location: Durham, NC Work Environment: Onsite, laboratory-based
## Position Overview
Our client is seeking a Research Associate / Scientist, Plant Tissue Culture & Transformation to support plant transformation, tissue culture, regeneration, and gene-editing research. The position is highly hands-on and will contribute directly to laboratory activities supporting transformed and gene-edited crop development. Candidates may be considered at either the Research Associate or Scientist level based on education, experience, technical depth, and level of responsibility. The primary requirement across both levels is direct, hands-on plant tissue culture experience , including the ability to perform tissue culture work at a laminar-flow hood for extended periods. Scientist-level candidates will additionally contribute to the development, optimization, and troubleshooting of transformation and regeneration protocols.
## Top Must-Have Skills
Hands-on plant tissue culture experience Plant transformation and/or regeneration experience Aseptic technique in a laminar-flow hood Experience with plant explants, media handling, and culture transfer Strong laboratory documentation, organization, and attention to detail Ability to perform detailed, repetitive tissue culture procedures for extended periods
## Key Responsibilities

### Plant Tissue Culture & Transformation
Perform hands-on plant tissue culture and transformation activities. Prepare plant explants and perform transformation, selection, subculturing, culture transfer, regeneration, and acclimatization activities as applicable. Prepare sterile plant growth media according to established recipes and protocols. Perform aseptic laboratory procedures within a laminar-flow hood. Contribute to daily production pipelines for transformed and gene-edited plant materials. Maintain accurate records of plant materials, cultures, media batches, experimental activities, and results. Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment.
### Research & Collaboration
Collaborate with multidisciplinary colleagues on protocols, SOPs, quality-control processes, data archives, analysis, and troubleshooting. Evaluate experimental results and contribute to identifying successful and regenerable plant materials. Support the continued development and improvement of plant tissue culture, transformation, and regeneration workflows. Assist with laboratory-support activities including supply sterilization, stocking, inventory, and registry updates as appropriate.
### Scientist-Level Responsibilities
Depending on the candidate's experience and level:

- Develop and optimize gene-delivery, plant tissue culture, transformation, and regeneration protocols.
- Develop transformation protocols for challenging new crops.
- Identify limiting experimental parameters and develop solutions to improve transformation and regeneration outcomes.
- Evaluate experimental results and independently adapt techniques and plant materials accordingly.
- Manage, organize, and track multiple research projects simultaneously.
- Contribute scientific expertise to protocols, SOPs, quality-control processes, data management, analysis, and troubleshooting.
- Provide technical guidance to Research Associates working in plant tissue culture and transformation.
- Serve as a technical resource and effectively communicate scientific research.

Required Qualifications

Research Associate Level

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Plant Biology or a related field.
- Hands-on plant tissue culture experience, with 1+ year preferred .
- Proficiency in aseptic plant tissue culture techniques.
- Hands-on experience with explant preparation, media handling, and culture transfer in a laminar-flow hood.
- Ability to perform repetitive tissue culture procedures for extended periods.
- Ability to effectively contribute within a multidisciplinary, matrix team environment.

Scientist Level

- PhD in Plant Biology or a related field with at least 3 years of hands-on plant tissue culture and transformation experience , or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Deep hands-on expertise in plant tissue culture and transformation.
- Demonstrated experience developing transformation protocols for challenging new crops.
- Experience identifying limiting parameters, developing solutions, and optimizing protocols to improve transformation output.
- Ability to independently evaluate experimental results and adapt technical approaches accordingly.
- Experience developing and implementing innovative R&D concepts.
- Ability to spend a significant portion of the workday performing tissue culture work at the hood.

Preferred Qualifications

Depending on position level, preferred experience includes:

- Microscopy and imaging instrumentation
- Protoplast isolation and delivery
- Protoplast regeneration
- Gene-gun delivery
- Molecular biology techniques, including: Cloning
- DNA extraction
- RNA extraction
- Amplicon sequencing

Core Competencies

- Strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Effective organization and laboratory documentation
- Ability to effectively manage assigned laboratory activities
- Scientific troubleshooting and problem-solving appropriate to the position level
- Effective collaboration within a multidisciplinary research environment
- Clear scientific communication
- Accountability and commitment to safe, high-quality laboratory work

Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $45.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Durham,NC. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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