About Pairwise:

Pairwise is a mission driven AgriFoodTech company pioneering the application of CRISPR technology in food and agriculture. Founded in 2017 by leading scientists in the gene editing and biotechnology fields, Pairwise holds licenses from Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital to base editing and high-fidelity enzymes – in addition to our own proprietary, company-developed suite of novel tools.

Anchored by our Fulcrum™ platform and deep technical and agronomic expertise in more than 60 crops, we’re accelerating innovation in plant genetics, food and agricultural products, supply chains, and production systems. Our expert team delivers commercially viable products that benefit the planet, consumers, growers, and our business partners.

After successfully delivering 27 novel traits to Bayer’s pipeline during our first collaboration for corn, soy, wheat, and canola, our second collaboration currently underway is focused on developing climate-friendly short-stature corn – with more partnerships on the horizon. Our consumer-facing pipeline includes seedless blackberries and pitless cherries.

Named one of America’s Top GreenTech Companies, Pairwise is based in the start-up friendly Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina.

About This Role:

The Research Associate will support Pairwise's mission to innovate in AgriFoodTech by preparing and supplying media for all plant tissue culture and transformation pipelines. This role is responsible for media preparation, chemical inventory management, aseptic technique application, equipment calibration, and documentation of laboratory processes. Additionally, the position involves collaborating with teams to optimize protocols for plant transformation, assisting with transformation experiments, and maintaining accurate experimental records to drive continuous improvement and ensure high-quality results.

Essential Functions:

• Prepare media and stock solutions necessary for plant tissue culture and transformation experiments.
• Oversee reagent and supply inventory and coordinate timely procurement to ensure adequate resources for media preparation within the pipeline.
• Apply aseptic techniques throughout media preparation to prevent contamination and maintain the integrity of experiments.
• Routinely calibrate equipment required for media preparation and validate preparation procedures to uphold high quality standards.
• Document all media recipes, preparation dates, and batch records in our databases.
• Collaborate with teams to adjust media recipes for specific plant species or project requirements, supporting continuous improvement in plant transformation efficiency.
• Assist with setting up Agrobacterium mediated transformation experiments when required for the project.
• Take observations, collect data, and maintain records from the experiments.
• Prepare reports and share the results with key stakeholders when required.
• Assist in monitoring key performance indicators (KPI’s) and metrics to determine the media preparation performance.
• Proactively identify problem areas, troubleshoot and find solutions to overcome the issue.
• Handle multiple assignments and transition to new assignments in a rapidly changing work environment.
• Contribute new ideas to improve the efficiency of media preparation.
• Adapt and implement new ideas, tools and advancements to improve media preparation.

Required Education & Experience:

• 2 years’ experience in plant tissue culture media preparation or bachelor’s degree in plant biology, plant science, plant biotechnology or related subject.
• Experience preparing media for tissue culture.
• Experience with aseptic conditions, handling plant tissues and plant transformation.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience keeping accurate scientific records via LIMs and laboratory notebooks.
• Experience and knowledge in laboratory safety practices, including use of PPE, SDSs and proper handling and disposal of laboratory waste.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a large lab setting.
• Ability to work independently on individual experiments.
• Excellent organization, oral and written communication.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2 years’ experience with large scale media preparation and plant transformation.
• Proficiency in record keeping and data recording in electronic notebook.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot media preparation problems.

Offerings:

• Comprehensive Benefits Plan, including Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA/FSA, 401k, Life Insurance, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, and more!
• Flexible PTO (use what you need, when you need it), in addition to company holidays.
• Casual work environment.
• Mission-driven organization focused on creating healthier fruits and veggies.
• A cutting-edge, driven community looking to lead the industry in innovation and nutrition.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle or feel, and techniques that require fine motor skills and repetitive motions. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

EEO Statement: We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Pairwise we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

No Recruiters please.