NET2SOURCE Consulting Limited is hiring an Agriculture Research Assistant / Laboratory Technician for a 12+ month contract role based in Johnston, Iowa (IA 50131) — the heart of America’s agricultural biotechnology corridor. Paying $32/hour, this position supports the Crop Transformation Systems team within Biotechnology / Trait Discovery & Optimization. You will carry out Crop Genome Engineering experiments to support Trait Optimization and Product Development — including crop transformation, genome editing, plant tissue culture, experimental data collection, and protocol documentation. This is an outstanding opportunity for a plant science, genetics, biology, or biotechnology graduate to build hands-on laboratory research experience in one of the most scientifically exciting fields in modern agriculture.
About NET2SOURCE Consulting Limited
Headquarters: Delhi, India — with global client placement across technical and professional domains
Specialisation: Connecting skilled professionals with specialised research, laboratory, and scientific roles
Project Support: Structured support, exposure to diverse projects, and opportunities to build practical expertise
Values: Professionalism, integrity, reliable project delivery, and high-quality outcomes for clients
Placement: This role places the candidate directly at a leading agricultural biotechnology site in Johnston, Iowa
Crop Genome Engineering — What You Will Work On
Crop Transformation: Genetic transformation experiments on key commercial crop species
Genome Editing: CRISPR and related genome engineering techniques for trait optimization
Plant Tissue Culture: Explant preparation, culture media, and sterile technique in tissue culture workflows
Trait Discovery & Optimization: Supporting the discovery and optimization of new agricultural traits for product development
Protocol & Data Management: Following established protocols and accurately documenting experimental data in LIMS/databases
Why This Agriculture Research Assistant Role in Johnston, Iowa is an Exceptional Opportunity: Johnston, Iowa is one of the most concentrated agricultural biotechnology hubs in the United States — home to major crop science research facilities and leading agribusiness companies. Working in Crop Genome Engineering at $32/hour on a 12+ month contract, you will gain direct hands-on experience with the most advanced crop improvement technologies available today. For plant science, genetics, or biology graduates looking to build a research career in agricultural biotechnology, this is a truly career-defining starting point in America’s agri-biotech heartland.
Position Overview
As an Agriculture Research Assistant / Laboratory Technician at Johnston, Iowa, you will be a key member of the Crop Transformation Systems team within Biotechnology / Trait Discovery & Optimization. Your primary responsibility is to carry out Crop Genome Engineering experiments that support Trait Optimization and Product Development — following established transformation and genome editing protocols, documenting experimental data accurately into database systems, and participating in continuous improvement of established methods to improve overall system metrics. You will take direction from a Technology Leader, Research Scientist, or Senior Research Associate and will contribute both independently and as part of a collaborative, scientifically rigorous laboratory team. This is a 12+ month contract role paying $32/hour — an excellent opportunity to build practical biotechnology research experience in a world-class agricultural science environment.
Key Responsibilities
Crop Genome Engineering Experiments
- Follow supervisor direction to carry out crop transformation and genome editing experiments — executing established transformation protocols, testing novel approaches, and collecting data from all experimental activities with precision and consistency.
- Conduct transformation and genome editing experiments according to established protocols — accurately documenting all experimental data into the designated database system(s) and maintaining complete, traceable records throughout each experiment.
- Participate in new technology development and process improvement studies in crop transformation — including experimental design, hypothesis testing, systematic observation, data collection, and preliminary analysis of results.
Laboratory Operations & Team Support
- Participate in team support activities including explant preparation, equipment maintenance, media assessment and improvement, culture room maintenance, process improvement initiatives, and information management tasks.
- Provide technical support and conduct experiments with a respectful, collaborative, and positive team spirit — contributing actively to the laboratory team’s shared objectives and research milestones.
- Maintain and uphold laboratory safety standards — following all company safety policies, protocols, and procedures to ensure a consistently safe working environment for yourself and all team members.
Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain complete, accurate, and timely records of all experimental data, procedures, and results — ensuring full traceability and compliance with research documentation standards across all laboratory activities.
- Provide summaries and reports to supervisors and, when required, present results at internal company meetings or external scientific meetings — communicating findings clearly and professionally.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education — Required Fields
Plant Science
Biological Science
Genetics
Horticulture
Biotechnology
Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in any of the above fields is required — preference is given to candidates with prior lab experience.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Knowledge and experience in general laboratory operations — including following procedures and instructions, carrying out experiments independently, sampling, and detailed record-keeping in a research environment.
- Ability to maintain complete, accurate, and timely records of experimental data and procedures — data integrity and documentation discipline are fundamental to this role.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office software — particularly Excel and Word for data recording, reporting, and protocol documentation purposes.
- Excellent communication skills — both oral and written — with the ability to present results clearly to supervisors and contribute professionally to team meetings and research summaries.
- Willingness to support a high-quality lab environment — through responsible custodianship of equipment and strict adherence to all laboratory safety policies and best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to function both independently and as a respectful, collaborative team member in a structured research environment.
Who Should Apply?
- Plant Science & Biology Graduates: BSc or Associate degree holders in plant science, biological science, genetics, horticulture, or biotechnology who want to build hands-on research experience in crop genome engineering.
- Lab Technicians with Agriculture Background: Those with general laboratory operations experience who are interested in agricultural biotechnology and are excited to work on crop transformation and genome editing research in Johnston, Iowa.
- Plant Tissue Culture Practitioners: Candidates with prior experience in plant tissue culture, explant preparation, sterile technique, or regeneration protocols — your skills are highly valued for this Crop Transformation Systems role.
- LIMS & Data-Oriented Scientists: Research assistants or technicians comfortable with electronic data management, LIMS platforms, and systematic experimental record-keeping in a structured laboratory research environment.
- Early-Career Agricultural Biotechnology Professionals: Recent graduates or early-career scientists in Iowa or willing to relocate who are passionate about crop improvement, genomics, and precision agriculture — and ready to contribute to the science shaping the future of food.
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