Job Description

The Research Assistant I will play a critical operational role in the Harnessing Plants Initiative, focused on large-scale soybean, Arabidopsis and other crop species experiments. Primary responsibilities include growing plants in growth chambers, greenhouses and on agar plates or in culture vessels, harvesting and freezing roots, managing seed stocks, imaging plants, and keeping the laboratory supplied with the reagents and consumables these experiments need.

The Research Assistant I will work closely with scientists in the laboratory to keep experiments involving hundreds of plant lines on schedule, with consistent growth conditions, accurate sample tracking and complete records.

This position requires strong practical skills in plant growth and handling, sterile technique, media and plate preparation, tissue harvesting and freezing, and careful sample labeling and record keeping. Experience with basic molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR and genotyping is a plus, as is microscopy and preparation of sequencing libraries. The role requires careful attention to detail, reliability with time-sensitive tasks, and the ability to stay on track within a long-term experiment and organize large numbers of samples within a collaborative scientific environment.

The Research Assistant I will play a critical operational role in supporting activities within the Harnessing Plants Initiative. Primary responsibilities include plant cultivation, transformation, tissue harvesting, experimental execution, data collection, phenotyping, and analysis across a range of plant species. The role also involves sample preparation and general experimental support, including standard procedures in molecular biology, biochemistry, and plant biology.

The Research Assistant I will work closely with scientists in the laboratory to support ongoing research efforts within the Harnessing Plants Initiative.

This position requires strong experimental skills, including sterile technique, molecular cloning, DNA and RNA preparation, gel electrophoresis, genotyping, PCR, root sectioning and microscopy. It requires careful attention to detail and the ability to effectively balance research support responsibilities within a collaborative scientific environment.

This is a temporary position anticipated for 8-12 months.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Grow soybean and other plants from seed in growth chambers, greenhouses and on agar plates, including seed sterilization, stratification, soil preparation, planting, watering, fertilization, seed harvesting, and routine plant care.
• Prepare sterile growth media, pour agar plates and plate seeds using sterile technique.
• Harvest roots and other tissues at set developmental stages and times of day. Flash freeze samples in liquid nitrogen, then label, track and store them at −80 °C for molecular and single-cell analyses.
• Scan plates on a consistent schedule using flatbed and automated plate scanners. Name, organize and upload image files with complete metadata such as genotype, treatment and date.
• Organize and maintain seed stocks for large diversity panels, including seed harvesting, cleaning, packaging, labeling, database entry and storage.
• Monitor reagent and consumable stocks, prepare common laboratory solutions, and place orders and receive supplies so experiments are never delayed by missing materials.
• Monitor growth chamber and greenhouse conditions and promptly report equipment problems.
• Maintain organized inventories of −80 °C freezers, growth chambers and plant rooms.
• Record data and observations accurately in laboratory notebooks, spreadsheets and databases.
• Assist with DNA extraction, PCR, genotyping and sequence library preparation as needed.
• Accurately follow written and verbal instructions and protocols.
• Communicate effectively with staff at all levels and across teams.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management.

What we Require

• No professional experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related scientific discipline required. A minimum of 2 years of experience in a scientific role is required for consideration of a Bachelor's degree in a different discipline.
• Computer skills required: Microsoft Office
• Fundamental skills in molecular biology and plant biology
• Other skills (preferred):

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $18.00-$21.00 hourly. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk’s pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym “I CARE” provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.