Research Associate I – Microbial Lab

About Pivot Bio:  

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of microbiology, genomics, crop nutrition and agriculture, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in fertilizer technology. Our first commercial product harnesses the power of naturally-occurring microbes, modern gene editing and application technologies to provide nitrogen to crops.  We are dedicated to providing new solutions for farmers to improve yield as they work to help feed the world’s growing population. Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio on Forbes or PBS News Hour.

This position will have a direct impact on microbial product development by assessing microbial viability of various microbes and/or formulations when applied to seed or soils. A key responsibility of this position will be to support research and commercial projects in the development and implementation of laboratory methods.  

 This role is onsite at our St Louis, MO (Creve Coeur) location.

Essential functions 

• Technical laboratory support for formulation development and application research. 
• Testing of on-seed microbial viability for various applications and seed types 
• Testing for microbial compatibility with various crop protection products, research, and commercial application quality. 
• Technical support in the development and validation of microbial enumeration methods, seed sampling methods, data analysis, and reporting of results.   
• Providing updates, summaries, and recommendations regarding Application R&D project status.    

Knowledge & Application  

• Experience and/or awareness of project management tools such as ASANA. 
• Proficient in microbial laboratory technics and methods including liquid handling equipment, microbial enumeration, and qPCR methods.   
• Excellent research acumen to perform the following: experimental design, statistical analysis, protocol development, execution, and summarization of results. 

 Collaboration & Interaction 

• Excellent communication skills are both written and verbal. 
• Collaborate with internal teams including product development, fermentation and formulation, and research in the development and execution of protocols.   

Work Environment  

• Professional working proficiency in English required for meetings, written documentation, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to occasionally lift or team-lift 10to 50 lbs  
• Ability to work both in the lab and on the computer for prolonged periods of time. 

Required Education & Experience 

• Minimum of BS degree or equivalent, preferably in microbiology or a related field.   
• Microbiology and molecular biology lab experience preferred.
• Practical experience with standard microbial quantification, recovery assays, routine microbial characterization with tools/instruments, nucleic acid manipulation, PCR design, and plate-based screening assays required.  
• High throughput experience including but not limited to automation with liquid handlers and scaleup process development desired. 
• Familiarity with data and programing tools preferred. 
• Prior experience working in a microbiology testing lab, a QC lab (statistical reliability), or similar laboratory environment is beneficial. 
• Detail-oriented and results driven with agreeable personality and great people skills. 

Must be authorized to work in the United States

What We Offer: 

• Competitive package in a disruptive startup 
• Stock options 
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance with employer-paid premiums 
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability policies 
• Employee Assistance Program with free referrals and discounts 
• 401(k) plan, 3% Match 
• Commuter benefits 
• Annual Training & Development support 
• Flexible vacation policy with a generous holiday schedule 
• Exciting opportunity to work with a talented and fun team

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