Research Associate Food Science Jobs in O Fallon, IL

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is launching a multi-lab research initiative to improve food and cover crops for global food security, agricultural sustainability, and innovation. To support this effort, we are recruiting multiple full time benefits eligible scientists to join laboratories across the Center. These positions span a shared portfolio of projects that incorporate gene editing, plant transformation, quantitative genetics, and analytical biochemistry. 

This is a single call for several openings at our independent, nonprofit research institute located in St. Louis. We encourage mission-motivated candidates with backgrounds in any of the skill areas described below to apply; applications will be matched to the laboratory and project that best fit each candidate's expertise and interests. Successful candidates will work in a highly collaborative, well-resourced environment with access to the Center's world-class core facilities, including the Plant Growth Facility, Plant Transformation Facility, the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory, the Bioanalytical Chemistry Facility, the Data Science Core, the Phenotyping Facility, and the Danforth Field Research Site.

Responsibilities: 

• Performs experimental analysis and tests required in discovery research.
• Compiles, analyzes andinterprets results and may supervise junior lab members engaged in these activities.  
• Organize, train, assign, direct and check the work ofjunior employees. 
• Serve as an in-lab project manager and primary contact for collaborative projects. 
• Contributes to grant and contract proposals with PI, including gathering and analyzingcontributions from diverse participants, data compilation and original writing. 

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:   

• Basic understanding of chemistry and molecular biology lab techniques (e.g., pipetting, gel electrophoresis, PCR, spectrophotometry) 
• Proficiency in scientific software and tools for data analysis and documentation (e.g., Excel, GraphPad, LIMS)  
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills  
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written 
• Ability to follow instructions precisely and adhere to protocols  
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new techniques and technologies  
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented lab environment
• Familiarity with basic statistical analysis and data interpretation  
• Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship 

Who we're looking for 

We are hiring across a range of participating laboratories and research areas. Depending on the position, projects address challenges such as increasing yield and nutritional quality in cassava, sorghum, cowpea, and maize; engineering disease and drought resilience; developing cover crops and perennial grains for regenerative agriculture; advancing plant transformation and gene-editing platforms.  

Gene editing and molecular biology 

• CRISPR/Cas design and multiplexed editing in crop species, construct assembly, and molecular characterization of edited and transgenic lines. 

• Plant transformation, tissue culture, and regeneration, including work with recalcitrant genotypes and morphogenic regulator systems. 

• Trait engineering through overexpression, targeted knockout, and gene stacking (e.g., disease resistance, biofortification). 

Genomics, computational biology, and AI 

• Quantitative and population genetics, GWAS, genomic and phenomic prediction, and pangenome-enabled analyses. 

• Machine learning and computer vision applied to image, genomic, environmental, and process data — including predictive models for transformation efficiency and decision-support tools. 

• Bioinformatics and data integration across multimodal datasets, with strong programming skills (e.g., Python, R) and reproducible workflows. 

Plant Biology, physiology, biochemistry, soil science, and microbiology 

• In-field high-throughput phenotyping to evaluate developmental timing and trajectories, reproductive and vegetative yield, below-ground architecture and root anatomy, and senescence dynamics. 

• Analytical characterization of grain and root quality — protein digestibility, amino acid profiling, mineral and phytate content, and processing effects. 

• Plant–microbe interactions, including plant-virus interactions, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and engineered microbial consortia for soil health. 

• Crop physiology related to regenerative agriculture systems, nutrient-use efficiency, water-use efficiency, drought and heat resilience, and stress tolerance. 

• Plant–soil interface dynamics, including the characterization of soil structure, chemical composition, and gas flux profiles within diverse cash and cover crop systems. 

Qualifications 

• A Master’s degree with extensive experience in plant biology, molecular biology, genetics, plant breeding, physiology, biochemistry, computational biology, agricultural engineering, agroecology, or a closely related field.  
• A record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.   
• Specific requirements vary by laboratory; relevant hands-on experience in one or more of the skill areas above is expected for each position. 

How to apply 

Submit a cover letter (clearly indicating your areas of expertise and any project areas of particular interest), a curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references through the Danforth Center careers portal at danforthcenter.org/careers. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.