Research Technician I - Duguma Lab
DONALD DANFORTH PLANT SCIENCE CENTER
Summary
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center seeks a motivated and organized Research Technician I to support crop improvement research involving teff, cowpea, common bean, and other crops. The successful candidate will be responsible for plant cultivation, experimental maintenance, phenotyping, and seed processing, in greenhouse and growth chamber environments.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Plant, maintain, and monitor research crops in greenhouses and growth chambers.
- Perform routine plant care, including watering, staking, labeling, and monitoring plant health.
- Conduct harvesting, threshing, seed cleaning, packaging, and inventory management.
- Collect, record, and organize plant growth, phenotyping, and yield data.
- Maintain accurate experimental records and coordinate plant care activities with greenhouse staff.
- Assist with other laboratory and research activities as needed.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Experience in plant handling or cultivation or demonstrated ability and willingness to learn.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate records.
- Self-motivated, dependable, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel or other data management tools.
Qualifications
- Associate degree with bachelor’s degree preferred in plant science, horticulture, agriculture, biology, or a related field.
- 2 to 3 years experience with greenhouse, growth chamber operations, seed processing, or plant phenotyping.
Requirements
- Associate degree in plant science, horticulture, agriculture, biology, or a related field
- Bachelor's degree preferred in plant science, horticulture, agriculture, biology, or a related field
- 2 to 3 years experience with greenhouse, growth chamber operations, seed processing, or plant phenotyping
- Experience in plant handling or cultivation or demonstrated ability and willingness to learn
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate records
- Self-motivated, dependable, and able to work independently and collaboratively
- Familiarity with Microsoft Excel or other data management tools
Company overview
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is the world's largest independent nonprofit research institute dedicated exclusively to plant science. Founded in 1998 in St. Louis, Missouri, the center operates with a mission to improve the human condition through plant science by addressing critical global challenges at the nexus of food security and environmental sustainability. With a $30 million annual operating budget and a $300 million endowment, the center employs 242 staff including 30 principal investigators who conduct cutting-edge research in areas such as crop improvement, renewable fuels, and sustainable agriculture. The organization focuses on increasing agricultural productivity to sustainably feed the growing global population while reducing environmental impact through innovative plant science solutions. Its research spans fundamental plant biology, bioenergy development, and international crop improvement programs targeting staple crops in developing regions.