Research Associate I, Culture Collection

Indigo improves grower profitability, environmental sustainability, and consumer health through the use of natural microbiology and digital technologies. Utilizing beneficial plant microbes and agronomic insights, Indigo works with growers to sustainably produce high quality harvests. The company then connects growers and buyers directly to bring these harvests to market. Working across the supply chain, Indigo is forwarding its mission of harnessing nature to help farmers sustainably feed the planet. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA, with additional offices in Memphis, TN, Research Triangle Park, NC, Sydney, Australia, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, Brazil. www.indigoag.com

Indigo is developing microbiome-based agricultural solutions to improve crop yields with sustainable products derived from plant microbiomes. The primary objective of the research associate will be to purify and identify bacterial and fungal strains from plants for use in our discovery pipeline. The microbial strains will be identified using DNA sequencing and stored in our culture collection.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and maintain stocks of bacterial and fungal strains
• Purify bacterial and fungal strains from plant samples
• Strain propagation for use across R&D
• DNA extraction from pure cultures
• Media preparation
• Assist with implementing solutions for process improvement for storage of culture collection
• Data capture and analysis

Competencies:

• Ability to work as a team player towards shared goals
• Proficiency in sterile techniques
• Familiarity with basic microbiology, and molecular biology
• Skilled in making basic culture media
• A motivated learner with a great attention to detail
• Organized, approachable and energetic
• Self-sufficient and with minimal supervision, but always within the expectations of and parameters set by their supervisors
• Sets and maintains high standards for self and this position
• Possesses strong interpersonal, communication and relationship building skills and an outwardly positive demeanor

Qualifications:

• BS and 0-2 years industrial or academic experience in microbiology
• Experience in aseptic technique
• Self-motivated, organized, methodical, and attention to detail required
• Team oriented, with excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, start-up environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Charlestown, MA based