Research Associate - R&D Growing Full-Time | Career Path Toward R&D Grower Company Description Solis Agrosciences delivers a fully integrated AgTech R&D platform that helps innovators systematically de-risk product development and move innovations from concept toward commercialization. We generate gene-edited and transgenic crops, plant phenotype and efficacy data, and individually tailored research solutions for startup and corporate customers. The Opportunity Solis is looking for a Research Associate who wants to develop into an exceptional R&D grower. This is an opportunity for someone early in their career who loves plants, wants to understand how and why they grow, and is eager to work alongside seasoned professionals who can help them develop the technical skills, judgment, and experience required to manage plants in a research environment. We are not looking for someone who simply follows a watering schedule or checks tasks off a list. We want someone who learns to walk into a greenhouse and see what the plants are telling them. To recognize when something isn't right, think critically about why, determine what needs to happen next, and take action. R&D growing requires both doing and thinking. The details matter. The plants matter. And the quality and consistency of the growing directly affect the quality of the science. What You'll Do As a Research Associate, you will work alongside experienced growers and scientists while progressively developing greater responsibility for managing research crops and greenhouse activities.
Responsibilities will include:
Provide daily care for a diverse range of research crops, including irrigation, fertilization, transplanting, pruning, staking, spacing, pollination, harvesting, and seed production. Monitor plants closely for water and nutrient needs, environmental stress, pests, disease, developmental changes, and abnormal growth. Learn to interpret plant responses and make informed growing decisions based on what you observe. Follow detailed research protocols accurately and consistently. Support experimental setup, plant production, phenotyping, crossing, seed collection, harvest, and other research activities. Monitor greenhouse environmental conditions and understand how temperature, humidity, light, irrigation, nutrition, and other factors influence plant performance. Scout for insects and disease and participate in integrated pest management programs. Maintain accurate plant identification, records, experimental materials, and documentation. Maintain clean, organized, and safe greenhouse and growing areas. Identify problems early and take action before they compromise plant material or research. Complete assigned responsibilities independently once trained. Communicate daily progress, including work completed, plant observations, problems identified, actions taken, and outstanding tasks. Recognize time-sensitive activities and ensure they are completed within the required biological or experimental window. Continually look for ways to improve growing practices, workflows, and operational efficiency without compromising plant health or experimental integrity. Participate in rotational weekend plant care and other time-sensitive greenhouse responsibilities. What We're Looking For We're looking for someone who wants more than a job caring for plants. We want someone who wants to learn the craft and science of becoming an outstanding R&D grower.
The successful candidate will:
Have exceptional attention to detail. Be genuinely interested in plants and how they respond to their environment. Be curious and want to understand why, not simply be told what to do. Think critically and solve problems. Take initiative and act when something needs attention. Take ownership of their work from beginning to end. Follow protocols and instructions precisely. Recognize that small mistakes can have significant consequences in a research environment. Communicate clearly, proactively, and consistently. Provide reliable daily updates without needing to be reminded. Ask questions when something is unclear. Speak up when something doesn't look right. Admit mistakes quickly so they can be corrected. Look for ways to make work more efficient and effective. Be dependable and capable of being trusted with valuable and sometimes irreplaceable research plant material. Work independently after appropriate training while also collaborating effectively with scientists and other growers. Take pride in doing things correctly—even when no one is watching. Be comfortable working in a hot and humid greenhouse environment. Be willing to perform physically demanding greenhouse work. Be available for rotational weekend work. As you develop, the expectation is that you will move from being told what to do, to understanding why you're doing it, to recognizing what needs to be done without being told. Ultimately, an excellent R&D grower should be able to walk through a greenhouse, evaluate the crop, identify potential problems, prioritize what needs attention, communicate those observations, and take appropriate action. For someone who demonstrates the aptitude, initiative, reliability, leadership, and growing judgment required, this position offers the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility and potentially develop into an R&D Grower role at Solis. Position Requirements Full-time position, approximately 40 hours per week Rotational weekend work is required Degree or relevant training/experience in plant science, horticulture, agronomy, biology, controlled-environment agriculture, or a related field preferred Strong interest in plant growth and greenhouse research Exceptional attention to detail Strong organizational and record-keeping skills Ability to follow detailed research protocols Strong verbal and written communication skills Demonstrated initiative and willingness to learn Ability to work independently after appropriate training Ability to work in hot and humid greenhouse conditions Ability to perform the physical activities associated with greenhouse and plant-care work
Pay:
$55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year Application Question(s): Are you willing to perform rotational weekend work?
