Plant Scientist – CRISPR Precision Breeding

Job Title: Plant Scientist – CRISPR Precision Breeding Location: Tampa, FL Job Type: Full-time Salary: $70,000–$100,000 per year Benefits: Health insurance, Paid time off Schedule: Monday to Friday Position Overview Soilcea is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Plant Scientist to support our mission of developing disease-resistant citrus through CRISPR-based precision breeding.

This role will play a critical part in advancing our non-GMO citrus improvement pipeline by editing key susceptibility genes associated with bacterial disease resistance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in molecular biology, plant transformation, tissue culture, and genome editing technologies. This is a hands-on position with significant bench work, as well as potential opportunities to participate in field data collection and phenotypic analysis. This is a leadership role within a growing and collaborative R&D team based in Tampa, Florida. Key Responsibilities  Design and execute experiments related to CRISPR-mediated gene editing in crop plants  Perform molecular cloning, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and protoplast transfection  Conduct tissue culture and regeneration of crop plants  Collect and analyze molecular and phenotypic data, including PCR, qPCR, sequencing, and gene expression assays  Participate in plant disease assays both in controlled environments and field conditions  Contribute to field data collection, organization, and statistical analysis  Coordinate with team members to advance project goals  Mentor junior team members and contribute to project planning and troubleshooting Required Qualifications  Ph.D. in Plant Science, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Genetics, or a related field with 2+ years of relevant experience OR M.S. in a related field with 5+ years of hands-on laboratory experience  Demonstrated expertise in plant genetic transformation and regeneration  Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, gel electrophoresis)  Proficiency in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific documentation  Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced research environment Preferred Qualifications  Experience working with CRISPR-Cas systems in plants  Prior work with citrus, tomato, potato, or olive  Experience in an industry R&D setting About Soilcea Soilcea is at the forefront of agricultural biotechnology, focused on developing CRISPR-edited citrus varieties resistant to devastating bacterial pathogens. Citrus canker and Huanglongbing (citrus greening) have significantly impacted the Florida citrus industry, reducing yields by over 90% and causing billions in economic losses. Soilcea holds exclusive licenses to foundational CRISPR technologies developed at the University of Florida aimed at solving these challenges through non-GMO precision breeding. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable citrus production. To Apply Interested applicants can send your resume and brief explanation of your qualifications to Brendan@soilcea.com