---
title: 'Research Associate I – Plant Bioassays at Pivot Bio'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-i-plant-bioassays-pivot-bio-creve-coeur-jn563rddqptq'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-19'
---

# Research Associate I – Plant Bioassays at Pivot Bio

- **Company:** Pivot Bio
- **Location:** Creve Coeur, MO
- **Compensation:** $33/hr
- **Posted:** 2026-10-12
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19
- **Apply:** https://www.pivotbio.com/job-description?gh_jid=8883562002

## Job description

About Pivot Bio:

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of microbiology, genomics, crop nutrition and agriculture, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in fertilizer technology. Our first commercial product harnesses the power of naturally-occurring microbes, modern gene editing and application technologies to provide nitrogen to crops.  We are dedicated to providing new solutions for farmers to improve yield as they work to help feed the world’s growing population. Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio onhttps://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fonezero.medium.com%2Fhow-microbes-could-upend-americas-toxic-dependence-on-nitrogen-fertilizer-548451117a63&data=05%7C02%7Csuzan.georges%40pivotbio.com%7C58455ae234f74711c91408dd460da77b%7C9cd8c009919e41cfba633d3b29c3beed%7C0%7C0%7C638743746640724364%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VmN57d15ZCZfJgWYtmuPjSJ65pLE9lqgdgBG7eMfmDw%3D&reserved=0[Forbes](https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Famyfeldman%2F2021%2F07%2F19%2Fpivot-bio-nears-2-billion-valuation-as-it-raises-whopping-430-million-to-replace-synthetic-fertilizers-on-corn-and-wheat-sustainability%2F%3Fsh%3D6eb68bf12273&data=05%7C02%7Csuzan.georges%40pivotbio.com%7C58455ae234f74711c91408dd460da77b%7C9cd8c009919e41cfba633d3b29c3beed%7C0%7C0%7C638743746640767325%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pQTOHUyBCwaS6VlEnE4fOhKSA9mXpM10pcjnOGfJqdg%3D&reserved=0) or [PBS News Hour.](https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fnewshour%2Fscience%2Fagriculture-emits-a-forgotten-greenhouse-gas-scientists-are-looking-for-solutions-in-the-soil&data=05%7C02%7Csuzan.georges%40pivotbio.com%7C58455ae234f74711c91408dd460da77b%7C9cd8c009919e41cfba633d3b29c3beed%7C0%7C0%7C638743746640790342%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=e2L90ui2YfoG2MmpXDtsk%2FnpjE0UMBe7K1bZrgvFVfs%3D&reserved=0)

Reporting to the Plant Bioassay Team Lead, the successful candidate will support the execution and development of greenhouse and controlled environment plant assays evaluating the performance of Pivot Bio’s microbial nitrogen-fixing technologies. The team’s key objective is to generate high-quality, reproducible in-planta data that supports candidate advancement, product characterization, and field performance prediction. This role will contribute to the development and scaling of plant assay workflows, microbial screening pipelines, and experimental data generation to support product innovation and validation.

This role is a 6 month Temporary position and onsite at our Creve Coeur, MO location.

Essential Functions

- Conduct and support execution of in planta assays in greenhouse and growth chamber environments with minimal supervision
- Support the scaling, optimization, and standardization of experimental assays to enable higher-throughput biological discovery pipelines
- Grow, plate, quantify, and maintain microbial cultures using aseptic technique and standard microbial enumeration methods
- Collect, accurately record, and analyze experimental and phenotypic data using LIMS or structured electronic data capture systems
- Attend and present data in R&D meetings and contribute to experimental planning and troubleshooting discussions
- Maintain detailed experimental records and support development or refinement of assay SOPs

Competencies

Knowledge & Application

- Understanding of plant physiology, development, and stress responses
- Familiarity with plant phenotyping approaches and greenhouse plant management
- Basic statistical analysis and data interpretation

Complexity & Problem Solving

- Strong attention to detail with demonstrated ability to accurately document and reproduce experimental workflows
- Applies scientific reasoning to interpret unexpected results

Collaboration & Interaction

- Strong problem-solving and team collaboration skills
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work independently

Required Education & Experience

- Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Plant Science, Agronomy, Microbiology, or related field
- Hands-on experience greenhouse/growth chamber research (industry or academic research experience acceptable)
- Experience with plant-microbe interactions or microbial culturing techniques is preferred but not required

Must be authorized to work in the United States

#LI-Onsite Hiring Compensation Range $33.16—$33.16 USD

## About Pivot Bio

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Pivot Bio develops proprietary microbial nitrogen products that replace synthetic nitrogen fertilizers by enabling crops to fix atmospheric nitrogen directly on the root, improving farmer profitability and sustainability.
- **Entity Type**: Private (venture-backed)
- **Headquarters**: Wayzata, Minnesota, USA (corporate office); additional hubs in California, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and an office in Brazil.
- **Founded**: 2010
- **Founders**: Karsten Temme, Ph.D. and Alvin Tamsir, Ph.D.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Agricultural biotechnology / Crop nutrition
- **Target customers**: B2B – farmers growing corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, millet, oats, sunflower, and corn silage.
- **Mission / purpose**: To solve agriculture’s biggest challenge – sustainably nourish the world’s most vital crops, drive farmer ROI, and protect soil, air, and water.

## Products & Services
- **PROVEN® 40**: Microbial nitrogen for corn that replaces up to 40 pounds per acre of traditional synthetic nitrogen without compromising yield. Delivers steady nutrition at the plant root all season long.
- **RETURN®**: Microbial nitrogen for small grains (sorghum, barley, millet, oats, sunflower) and wheat (spring and winter), providing predictable nutrition and greater ROI.
- **N-OVATOR™ Program**: Rewards farmers who use microbial nitrogen by partnering them with organizations looking to reduce on-farm emissions. Over $6 million paid to farmers since 2022.
- **Technology platform**: Gene-edited microbes that convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia directly on the plant’s root system, ensuring nitrogen is available when and where the plant needs it.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Over 1,050,000 metric tons of CO₂e avoided since 2022 (from reduced synthetic fertilizer use); N-OVATOR program has paid over $6 million to farmers.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not explicitly listed in provided sources (likely includes venture capital firms; no specific names available from the search results).
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Named to TIME’s 200 Best Inventions list for two consecutive years.
  - Recognized as one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024.
  - University of Illinois study (Jan 2025) confirmed unique mode of action.
  - Expanding internationally with an office in Brazil.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique mode of action**: Only microbes on the market that turn atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia directly on the plant root – a breakthrough in biological nitrogen fixation.
- **Gene-edited strains** designed to work with existing crop nutrition programs, integrating seamlessly into farmer operations.
- **Proven yield performance**: Can replace up to 40 lbs/acre of synthetic nitrogen without yield loss; delivers more tonnage per acre for corn silage.
- **Environmental differentiation**: Directly reduces nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen runoff, creating a clear sustainability value proposition for farmers and corporate partners.

## Strategic Focus
- **International expansion**: Growing presence in Brazil and other global markets.
- **Partnerships & corporate development**: Expanding the N-OVATOR program and working with organizations to reduce on-farm emissions.
- **Continuous innovation**: Investing in R&D to develop new microbial strains and applications for additional crops.
- **Scaling manufacturing and supply chain**: Led by Chief Supply Chain Officer Balaji Venkataraman to ensure product delivery at scale.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values openness, creative problem-solving, fearlessness, agility, and mutual inspiration. Employees are encouraged to debate, take risks, and challenge convention.
- **Flexible work environment**: “Flexible work environment” and unlimited PTO.
- **Benefits**: Stock options, comprehensive medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) with employer match, yearly personal and professional development stipend.
- **Growth**: Rapidly scaling company with a clear mission – employees have the opportunity to work on one of agriculture’s most promising climate solutions.
- **Locations**: Hubs in California, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and Brazil. Hybrid/remote options available.

## Sources
1. [pivotbio.com – About Us](https://www.pivotbio.com/about-us)
2. [pivotbio.com – Home](https://www.pivotbio.com/)
3. [pivotbio.com – Careers](https://www.pivotbio.com/careers)
4. [pivotbio.com – Leadership](https://www.pivotbio.com/leadership)
5. [pivotbio.com – Open Positions](https://www.pivotbio.com/open-positions)

## Other roles at Pivot Bio

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- [Director, Data & Information Architecture](https://feeny.ai/job/director-data-information-architecture-pivot-bio-minnetonka-kkae3d9zevkb) — Minnetonka, MN
- [Commercial Agronomist - Heartland](https://feeny.ai/job/commercial-agronomist-heartland-pivot-bio-morris-23ydef7zn61a) — Morris, MN
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- [Lab Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/lab-technician-pivot-bio-creve-coeur-766mg10aerye) — Creve Coeur, MO
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