Biographica
Crop Transformation Scientist
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About Us
Biographica generates the biological assets behind better crops. We find the causal, editable gene targets for a crop trait, design the edits that move it, and partner with seed companies to take them to the field.
Improving a trait takes years, and most candidate targets never validate. Seed companies rarely lack predictions — what's scarce is a target that holds up in their germplasm, and every failed cycle costs a breeding season that money can't buy back. So we build models that respect the structure of biology rather than proxies for it, with interpretable evidence behind every ranking. Fewer targets to validate at a higher hit rate.
We partner with leading seed companies including BASF | Nunhems, are advancing our first in-house licensable trait programmes, raised a £7M seed round, and are on the way to Series A.
We're a team of 17: machine learning engineers, data engineers, bioinformaticians and experimental scientists. This role is based at our lab at Rothamsted in Harpenden.
What we're looking for
As part of the Science team, you will lead on development, optimisation and application of crop transformation and genome editing methods, which involve plant tissue culture or are tissue culture free.
Your first priorities will be:
- Designing (or assisting with design of) experiments for gene target validation in planta
- Setting up and optimising transformation/genome editing methodologies in crops, which are part of Biographica’s portfolio
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Core responsibilities
- Establish, optimise and perform genetic transformation and genome editing in crops of interest to Biographica
- Perform molecular genotyping of transgenic/genome edited lines
- Design and assemble DNA constructs for genetic transformation/genome editing
- Prepare media for plant tissue culture and in planta transformation/genome editing experiments
- Document protocols and experimental results in an ELN
Additional Responsibilities
- Communicate experimental results to the Science team and the wider company
- Communicate with Rothamsted horticultural services regarding plant growth space, standing orders for plant material, etc.
- Order lab consumables
Core competencies
- Extensive hands-on experience with crop transformation in tissue culture
- Experience with high-throughput molecular analysis of transgenic/genome edited plants
- Proficient in DNA vector design and assembly (molecular cloning) for application in plant transformation
- Great attention to detail
- Ability to document results in a detailed and clear way in an ELN
- High competence in compiling written reports and communicating findings across disciplines (e.g. via PowerPoint presentations); we are a machine learning-first company with a team of machine learning engineers, data engineers, computational biologist and bioinformaticians and we all have to find a common language to work on our shared goal of rapid and accurate gene discovery for agricultural traits
- Full professional proficiency in English
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Nice to have competencies
- Experience with applying the genome editing technology in plants
- Experience with transient assays in plants (Agrobacterium-mediated gene expression, VIGS)
- Familiarity with the Benchling ELN
- Experience with NGS work (Illumina, ONT or PacBio)
Education Qualifications
- BSc or PhD in Plant Biology, Plant Biotechnology or a related discipline (appointment level will reflect education qualification and experience)
Benefits
- Competitive salary & equity options
- 25 days annual leave
- Benefits package
- Career development opportunities as the company scales
- Ownership of ambitious, mission-driven work with real-world impact
- Vibrant, innovative & supportive work environment with a committed team
- Access to conferences, events & professional development resources
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