About Origin Prime

Origin Prime is a startup, based in Davis, CA, focused on developing a next generation approach to improve crops for global food security. We utilize state of the art technology for gene discovery, and are creating new products based on non-GM approaches.

Position Summary

Origin Prime is seeking an enthusiastic Graduate Student Intern to join our team. The successful candidate will support a range of research activities, including plant physiology, molecular biology and genome editing, and will coordinate with others on characterization/validation of experimental plants. The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge and a deep understanding of plant biology and genetics, molecular biology, enabling development, improvement, and implementation of innovative research approaches including genome editing across multiple crops. Close collaboration with others on the Origin Prime team, will be an important part of the role. This is a part-time temporary position, consistent with the Graduate Student Intern’s needs for fulfilling degree requirements. We anticipate a minimum of 20 hours  per week during normal office hours. Minimum contract will be for 5 months; salary is standard at $27.50/hour.

Essential Job Functions

• Collaborate with company scientists on the design, development, and implementation of a gene discovery and genome editing pipeline in multiple crops.
• Implement effective and efficient experiments to drive go/no-go decisions for novel protocols.
• Actively identify potential areas for process improvement through quality and efficiency gains.
• Participate in collaborative research with the Origin Prime R&D team, outside service providers and partners.
• Implement both novel experiments and routine activities in equal measure.
• Effectively communicate results, progress, innovations, and challenges.
• Use professional concepts in accordance with company objectives to solve problems of defined scope in a creative and effective way.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Graduate studies in a relevant scientific discipline and 2+ years of experience in plant physiology and genetics, molecular biology and genome editing.
• Familiarity with standard molecular cloning and bioinformatics software tools.
• Deep knowledge of historical, current, and emerging gene delivery systems in plants.
• A sense for industrial scale pipelines with a keen eye for process improvements.
• Self-motivated and curious with a strong desire to both learn from and teach others.
• The flexibility to work in fast-paced lab and office environments where milestones and deliverables change quickly.
• Collect and analyze data from field, greenhouse and growth chamber experiments, and oversee the setting up, maintaining and dismantling of projects.
• The ability to present clear, concise data analyses to a multidisciplinary audience.
• An understanding of plant genetics and plant breeding techniques is highly desirable.

Email Resumes to: Origin Prime LLC, originprimejobs@gmail.com