Research Associate, Sampling and DNA Extraction

Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, United States; hands-on, lab-based work with plant growth chambers and controlled environment settings.

Salary: $51,600–$71,900 per year, plus short-term incentive, long-term equity, and a one-time new hire stock option grant.

Company

hirify.global develops seed products using predictive design and advanced multiplex gene editing to support a more productive and sustainable food system.

What you will do

• Sample tissue-culture and greenhouse-grown plants across multiple crops and deliver plant tissue for molecular characterization.
• Prepare, track, organize, and process large volumes of samples while maintaining integrity and traceability.
• Support high-throughput DNA and RNA extraction automation workflows.
• Care for, transplant, and maintain plants to support their transfer from the lab to controlled environments.
• Collaborate with scientists and research associates to troubleshoot workflows, develop solutions, and improve throughput and quality.
• Maintain laboratory records, clean workspaces, databases, notebooks, and safe laboratory operations.

Requirements

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Plant Biology, Biotechnology, Agriculture, or a related subject.
• Experience handling and caring for crop plants such as soybean, maize, or wheat.
• Experience with aseptic technique in laminar-flow and biocontainment hoods.
• Familiarity with high-throughput DNA and RNA extraction automation, LIMS, Benchling, and Google Workspace.
• Strong accuracy, attention to detail, planning, organization, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to develop and optimize protocols, troubleshoot workflows, collaborate effectively, and work safely in laboratory and controlled-environment settings.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of molecular biology and automated workflows.
• Experience with tissue culture and plant propagation.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, diverse, and inclusive environment focused on innovation in agriculture and science.
• Medical coverage options including PPO and HDHP plans with a company-funded HSA.
• Vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, voluntary benefits, and a wellness program.
• 401(k) plan with company matching and flexible paid time off.
• Immigration sponsorship is available for candidates in certain qualified roles meeting performance criteria; sponsorship is not provided for H-1B cases requiring the specified $100,000 fee.