Position Title: Research Associate II, Strawberry Breeding
Location: Aptos, CA
Type: Full-time
Ohalo™ is seeking an organized and detailed-oriented research associate to help coordinate greenhouse activities and field portions within our innovative strawberry breeding program, in addition to conducting experiments and collecting phenotype data. This role is ideal for a driven early-career scientist with at least two years of experience in breeding or related discipline, who is eager to innovate and grow professionally in a fast-paced, high-impact startup environment. The research associate will play a critical role in the execution of Ohalo’s groundbreaking Agile™ platform, managing key processes in greenhouse, data collection, and material advancement to enable revolutionary gains in crop yield and breeding efficiency.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 2+ years experience in a strawberry-focused research program
• Ability to successfully juggle multiple projects to meet intertwined deadlines
• Meticulous approach to planning with failsafes to prevent pitfalls
• Ability to accurately follow, develop, and communicate detailed plans
• Hands-on approach with a history of success
• Must be detail-oriented, well-organized, and good at record keeping
• Positive attitude and good interpersonal skills
• Enthusiastic about strawberry breeding technology with a desire to innovate
• Ability to work creatively in a dynamic, data driven start-up environment
• Strong organizational skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hands-on experience with strawberry genetics, breeding, and cultural practices
• Experience managing data and using statistical analysis to drive decisions
  The anticipated pay range for this role is $75,000 - $88,000 per year for our Aptos, CA location. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
  About Ohalo Genetics:
  Ohalo™ aims to accelerate evolution to unlock nature’s potential. Founded in 2019, Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our population. Ohalo’s breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding™, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. For more information, visit www.ohalo.com.
  Notes: If you previously applied for a job at Ohalo Genetics, we encourage you to restate your interest in the position by submitting your application.
  No visa sponsorship is available for this position at this time.
  No recruiter submissions, please

• Acts as point of contact between the strawberry breeding program and the greenhouse team, helping to coordinate activities, oversee plant health, and assure greenhouse personnel understand the goals and plans of the strawberry program.
• Assess plant vigor, yield, and desirable agronomic characteristics across greenhouse and field trials to identify top-performing genetic material
• Maintain accurate and organized records of plants, seed inventory, and breeding progress across environments and generations
• Work with collaborators to plan and assess field trials in cooperation with industry partners
• Coordinate and conduct experiments on seed and plant development to help develop cultural practices to support seed production and seed-propagated strawberry culture.
• Work with Research Associates and Scientists to execute experiments, analyze data, and communicate results for a variety of experiments simultaneously
• Participate in scientific discussions, contribute to continuous improvement in breeding operations, and present research outcomes to peers and leadership