Company Name: KWS Services Gateway Research Center

Job Title: Research Scientist 1: Molecular Biology

Location: St. Louis, MO

KWS is an innovative and long-established plant breeding and seed company with global headquarters in Germany. For more than 150 years, we have been breeding and marketing high-performance varieties for the modern farmer. Our crops include sugar beet, corn, and cereals, as well as oil seed crops and potatoes. The KWS Gateway Research Center in St. Louis, Missouri, has an immediate opening for a Research Scientist in the area of Molecular Biology and Intellectual Property.

If you would like to work in an environment that encourages innovation and teamwork, then the Gateway Research Center is where you need to be. We are seeking a Research Scientist who is passionate about science and is driven to make a difference in seed technology research. The ideal candidate will work in close collaboration with KWS colleagues to develop and effectively implement scientific research that advances knowledge, supports company strategies, improves product development efficiency, and results in a competitive advantage for the KWS. We offer a full set of benefits that include health and dental insurance, a generous PTO plan and much more!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Build partnerships and work collaboratively with local and international colleagues in research and legal fields to support team objectives for enabling technology development.
• Identify opportunities for intellectual property in plant molecular and cell biology, draft basic patent applications.
• Design and execute wet lab experiments to generate data in support of patent filings.
• Drive innovation and manage work packages across research teams within a dynamic, fast-moving, international environment.
• Support managers to build a robust IP portfolio in plant molecular and cell biology by developing strategy and generating enabling data.
• Engage the external scientific community in the areas of molecular & cell biology, including gene editing and DNA break repair, to bring continuous innovation and improvement into company technology platforms and strategy.
• Mentor and train research staff in professional development and use of best practices.
• Create an engaging climate, provide direction, delegate, remove obstacles, and distribute assignments, maintaining dialogue regarding work and results.
• Manage team goals, workflow, timelines and deadlines; adapt approaches to match shifting demands.
• Manage quality assurance and compliance with all company policies and state and federal guidelines.
• Ensure Company handbook, Rules Guidelines and Procedures, and safety policies are followed.
• Occasionally travel and/or drive on behalf of the business.
• May be required to perform other related duties as assigned.
• Meet attendance requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science or equivalent in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Plant Science, or similar field, plus 6 or more years of relevant job experience; OR a Master’s Degree in a related field plus 4 or more years of relevant job experience; OR a PhD degree that is relevant to the job.
• Expertise in molecular biology, including optimal design and rapid testing of various gene expression vectors, in eukaryotic cells, for a variety of purposes.
• Ability to communicate and write clearly, concisely and accurately in English.
• Strong interest in IP strategy and innovation.
• Strong desire and passion for team-based research demonstrated by specific examples from experience or education.
• Demonstrated success in development of molecular technology to enable project goals.
• Demonstrated ability to drive innovation that leads to enabling intellectual property and patent filings.
• Experience with patent analysis, patent application drafting, and interaction with legal personnel to support intellectual property protection.
• Demonstrated ability to generate data efficiently to support patent applications.
• Demonstrated interest in driving new technology development, including pursuit of innovation into fields outside of molecular biology.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve technical excellence through collaboration, self-improvement, and an open mind.
• Demonstrated initiative, ability to learn quickly, and success at working independently.
• Demonstrated lab related leadership qualities to innovate and execute scientific investigations with precision and sharp attention to detail.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Must have the legal right to work in the United States without sponsorship.
• Valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• PhD degree in plant molecular biology.
• Familiarity with DNA break repair pathways and regulation in eukaryotic cells.
• Demonstrated success with gene editing technologies in eukaryotic cells.
• Experience with medium- or high-throughput testing of gene expression vectors in a eukaryotic cell system.
• Experience with plant tissue culture and transformation methodologies.
• Experience with transient cellular assay systems in plants or plant tissues

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Scientific laboratory environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, balance, speech, feel, color vision, close vision, depth perception, read, data entry, drive, lift or move 10-25 pounds, use lab equipment, repetitive tasks, reach, grip, pinch, write, repetitive bending.

If we determine an applicant is suitable for the position based on a job related evaluation of skills and experience that may also include an interview, prior to final selection and subsequent employment, the applicant will be subject to a background check that is appropriate to the job functions and business necessity. If related criminal records are revealed in the process, the applicant will not be automatically disqualified

KWS is a participant of E-VERIFY.

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