Research Associate

Job Title: Research Associate

Location: (Johnston, IA)

Duration: Contract - 12 months

Pay Range: $30/hr - $33/hr(W2)

Job ID: 407718

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

About BCforward

BCforward is a leading global IT consulting and workforce solutions firm providing services and support to Fortune 500 and government clients. Founded in 1998, BCforward has grown with our customers needs into a full-service business solutions provider. With delivery centers and offices across North America and India, we take pride in building long-term relationships and delivering excellence through innovation, collaboration, and integrity.

Job Description

Corteva Agriscience is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join the Transgene Expression Engineering team. This role will support the discovery, characterization, and deployment of expression elements that regulate transgene expression across crops and tissues of interest. The successful candidate will contribute to research efforts focused on identifying promoters, introns, terminators, untranslated regions, and other regulatory sequences that enable precise, reliable, and trait-relevant gene expression.

Responsibilities:

• Support the design, planning, and execution of experiments to discover and characterize gene expression elements in crops of interest.


• Perform molecular biology and plant biotechnology workflows, including vector construction, plasmid preparation, Agrobacterium transformation, transient expression assays, protoplast assays, plant sampling, and phenotyping.


• Contribute to functional evaluation of promoters, introns, terminators, untranslated regions, and expression-modulating elements using laboratory, greenhouse, and controlled-environment assays.


• Collect plant tissue samples and coordinate sample submission for protein, transcript, or reporter-based expression analysis.


• Generate, organize, analyze, and interpret experimental data to assess expression strength, tissue preference, developmental patterns, and regulatory element performance.


• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely records of experimental designs, methods, observations, data, and conclusions in laboratory notebooks and data systems.


• Troubleshoot experimental protocols, identify process limitations, and participate in continuous improvement to increase assay efficiency and data quality.


• Collaborate with scientists, Senior Research Associates, bioinformatics partners, transformation teams, greenhouse teams, and trait project teams to support project milestones.


• Communicate experimental progress, results, and recommended next steps in team meetings, written summaries, and presentations.


• Follow all safety, stewardship, regulatory, and data integrity requirements while maintaining a safe and organized work environment.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Master's degree in molecular biology, plant biology, genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology, crop science, or related discipline with relevant academic or industry experience.


• Hands-on experience with PCR, cloning, plasmid isolation, gel electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, and DNA/RNA sample handling.


• Experience working in a research laboratory with ability to follow detailed protocols with accuracy and reproducibility.


• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple experiments, timelines, samples, and datasets simultaneously.


• Demonstrated ability to maintain high-quality records and communicate technical information clearly.


• Foundational bioinformatics skills to organize biological datasets, interpret basic computational outputs, and collaborate with bioinformatics partners.


• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based research environment.


• Problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and commitment to safe laboratory practices.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related data management tools.


• Experience analyzing large datasets, organizing complex data, identifying trends or patterns, summarizing findings, and presenting results in an actionable format.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with high-throughput assays for transgene expression, Agrobacterium handling, transient expression assays, protoplast assays, or reporter-based systems.


• Familiarity with gene regulation, promoter function, intron-mediated enhancement, transcription termination, untranslated regions, or transgene expression cassette design.


• Experience working with plants in laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber, or field settings.


• Experience with protein expression assays, transcript analysis, imaging, phenotyping, or plant sample tracking.


• Basic understanding of experimental design, statistical analysis, data visualization, or high-throughput data organization.


• Interest in genomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, AI/ML-enabled discovery, or computational approaches for regulatory element identification.


• Demonstrated curiosity, adaptability, and willingness to learn new technologies and workflows.

Additional Details:

• Driving Required: No.


• Special Equipment Required: N/A.


• Total Positions: 1.


• Legal Entity: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc (0684).


• Hours per Day: 8.


• Labor Type: Scientific.

Why BCforward?

At BCforward, we believe in advancing lives and careers. When you join our team, you gain access to:

• Competitive compensation and benefits


• Opportunities for growth with global clients


• A supportive, inclusive culture that values innovation and people


• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and projects

About Our Commitment

BCforward is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.

Interested? Apply Now!

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply with your most recent resume.