Careers

Supervised by:    VP of Research

Status:                 Full-Time Position

Company Background

CoverCress, Inc. (“CCI”) is an innovative startup company delivering a new climate-smart seed technology under the CoverCress™ brand. Founded in 2013, CCI is converting the common winter annual, field pennycress, using plant breeding to improve yield and maturity combined with advanced gene editing tools to improve fiber and oil composition. CoverCress seed allows corn and soybean farmers to add a new crop into their rotation on existing land during winter, while offering the ecosystem benefits of a cover crop, including improved soil health and carbon sequestration. It generates farm revenue as a whole grain feed ingredient, or when processed, as a low-carbon intensity oil for renewable fuel production, and as a high-protein meal for animal feed. The St. Louis-based CCI plans a limited demonstration of the CoverCress crop in select geographies, with the goal of growing to millions of acres across the lower Midwest. If you believe you are the right fit for this exciting opportunity please apply via LinkedIn, Indeed, or our website. 

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for the gene editing associate position to join our fast-paced gene-editing program. This position will be responsible for all facets of molecular aspects of editing program. Working within a collaborative team, you will support all product development activities with the editing aspects. 

Key Responsibilities

• Design and cloning of vectors to support discovery and product pipelines.

• Develop molecular assays to characterize transgenic and editing events and provide feedback to increase efficacy of editing designs.

• Support the optimization of new editing platforms to enable accelerated incorporation of crucial alleles.   

• Support on-going efforts in the editing pipeline for validating concepts from translational research aspects.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s (with 3 years of experience) or master’s degree (1 year of experience) in biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biological Studies, Genetics or Biotechnology.

• Understanding and hands-on experience of routine molecular biology methods such as DNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, restriction digestion, bacterial transformation, and plasmid extraction.

• Some experience of basic as well as advanced cloning methods such as Gibson or Golden Gate assembly.

• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and taking on new responsibilities.

• Highly self-motivated with vast attention to detail, and literature awareness.

• Robust organization, time management, and communication skills.

Desired

• Some experience with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and characterization of events using various methods such as Sanger and NGS sequencing.

• Knowledge of protoplast isolation and PEG-mediated transfection.

Benefits

• Dental insurance

• Flexible schedule

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Vision insurance

CoverCress Inc. is a growing company with a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for growth and professional development.

Supervised by:    Cultivation Director

Status:                 Full-Time Position

Company Background

CoverCress, Inc. (“CCI”) is an innovative startup company delivering a new climate smart seed technology under the CoverCress™ brand. Founded in 2013, CCI is converting the common winter annual, field pennycress, using plant breeding to improve yield and maturity combined with advanced gene editing tools to improve fiber and oil composition. CoverCress seed allows corn and soybean farmers to add a new crop into their rotation on existing land during winter, while offering the ecosystem benefits of a cover crop, including improved soil health and carbon sequestration. It generates farm revenue as a whole grain feed ingredient, or when processed, as a low carbon intensity oil for renewable fuel production, and as a high protein meal for animal feed. The St. Louis-based CCI plans a limited demonstration of the CoverCress crop in select geographies, with the goal of growing to millions of acres across the lower Midwest. If you believe you are the right fit for this exciting opportunity please apply via LinkedIn, Indeed, or our website. 

Job Description

CCI is seeking an individual to support greenhouse operations. The selected applicant will work closely with members of the R&D teams on product advancement, seed production, and plant characterization projects that accelerate CoverCress™ products toward commercialization.

Working closely with the product development teams, this is an incredible opportunity to gain a broad experience in an innovative and fast-paced environment, a chance to work with a highly motivated and professional team, and to be part of introducing a new crop into US agriculture.

Key Responsibilities

• All aspects of hands-on plant care, including planting seeds, transplanting seedlings, cleaning, support staking, bagging for seed collection, harvesting material, etc.

• Monitoring plant health

• Visual assessment and phenotyping

• Preparing samples for analytical processes

Skills and Qualifications

Essential

• Prior greenhouse cultivation experience is required

• Education in Horticulture or Plant Science is preferred

Desired

• Experience with Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn

• Ability to work in greenhouse and field environments

• Available for occasional day travel to support field operations

• Must be able to lift at least 50 lbs

Benefits

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Flexible schedule

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• 401(k)

CoverCress Inc. is a growing company with a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment with opportunities for growth and professional development.

Company Background

CoverCress, Inc. (“CCI”) is an innovative startup company delivering a new climate-smart seed technology under the CoverCress™ brand. Founded in 2013, CCI is converting the common winter annual, field pennycress, using plant breeding to improve yield and maturity combined with advanced gene editing tools to improve fiber and oil composition. CoverCress seed allows corn and soybean farmers to add a new crop into their rotation on existing land during winter, while offering the ecosystem benefits of a cover crop, including improved soil health and carbon sequestration. It generates farm revenue as a whole grain feed ingredient, or when processed, as a low-carbon intensity oil for renewable fuel production, and as a high-protein meal for animal feed. The St. Louis-based CCI plans a limited demonstration of the CoverCress crop in select geographies, with the goal of growing to millions of acres across the lower Midwest. If you believe you are the right fit for this exciting opportunity please apply via LinkedIn, Indeed, or our website. 

Job Description

The Company is seeking to hire Seasonal Operations employees to support the agronomy and breeding team. The successful candidate will have the ability to pay close attention to detail and follow instructions in a fast-paced environment.  The position requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to lift 40+ pounds. The candidate must have the ability to work in both indoor and outdoor environments. This position can be used for college internship credits if the candidate so desires. 

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Agronomy and Breeding team with harvest activities in the field.

• Process harvested grain with cleaning, moisture records, etc.

• Assist the breeding team with nursery activities, including harvesting.

• Travel to fields (sometimes for 2+ hours), with the potential of overnight stays.

• Adhere to company safety and health policies.

• Maintain a clean work environment, including tidying your workstation at the end of every day including work vehicles.

• Work closely with other team members.

Education

A high school diploma is preferred, however not required.

Compensation

This position starts at $14.50 per hour, with the opportunity for overtime.

Contact

Rebecca Rutte – rrutte@covercress.com

CoverCress Inc. is a growing company with a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for growth and professional development.

Supervised by:    Director of Breeding

Status:                 Full-Time Position

Company Background

CoverCress, Inc. (“CCI”) is an innovative startup company delivering a new climate-smart seed technology under the CoverCress™ brand. Founded in 2013, CCI is converting the common winter annual, field pennycress, using plant breeding to improve yield and maturity combined with advanced gene editing tools to improve fiber and oil composition. CoverCress seed allows corn and soybean farmers to add a new crop into their rotation on existing land during winter, while offering the ecosystem benefits of a cover crop, including improved soil health and carbon sequestration. It generates farm revenue as a whole grain feed ingredient, or when processed, as a low-carbon intensity oil for renewable fuel production, and as a high-protein meal for animal feed. The St. Louis-based CCI plans a limited demonstration of the CoverCress crop in select geographies, with the goal of growing to millions of acres across the lower Midwest. If you believe you are the right fit for this exciting opportunity please apply via LinkedIn, Indeed, or our website. 

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Genomics Breeder to drive the implementation of predictive breeding in our program. CoverCress has developed our initial commercial products utilizing a classical breeding approach starting with a relatively narrow germplasm pool. These products are currently being evaluated on over 7000 demonstration acres in central Illinois and Missouri. We have developed a reliable regional field-testing system and genotyping capabilities. Our next step is to utilize genomics breeding technologies, genetic knowledge derived from the high synteny between field pennycress and Arabadopsis thaliana, and an expanded germplasm pool to drive product performance and profitability. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the establishment of a new crop!

The Genomics Breeder joins a strong scientific team focused on creating a predictive breeding platform. The breeder will lead the establishment of strategies for phenotyping, genotyping, training model development, and implementing predictive selection within the breeding program. The Breeder will play a hands-on role in data analysis and must have excellent analytical skills. The ideal candidate will have the interest and skills to manage the front end of the breeding pipeline in the development of breeding populations, selection of high-potential accessions, and broadening the breeding pool. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of genomics breeding in the CoverCress™ variety development program

• Conduct hands-on data analysis

• Actively engage in breeding program management on program design, germplasm diversity management, advancement, testing, and other strategic initiatives

• Collaborate extensively with Breeding, Genomics, and Agronomy teams to develop and implement strategies for technology adoption in breeding and trait integration programs

• Manage projects across greenhouse and field environments

• Support the discovery, development, and deployment of value-added traits in the CoverCress pipeline 

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• PhD in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, or related field or MS with 3+ years of relevant experience in a strong genomics-based breeding program 

• Mastery of statistical applications in plant breeding and statistical genomics analysis methods

Desired

• Variety development experience within an applied breeding program is preferred, but not required

• Experience with data collection strategies and tools

• Experience with analytical software, breeding program management software, and Microsoft Office applications

• Strong leadership potential

• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems

• Solid verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work in field and greenhouse environments

• Available for seasonal travel for field operations

• Day trips from our St. Louis base comprise most of the travel but some overnight travel is necessary

• Must be able to lift at least 30lbs 

Benefits

• Dental insurance

• Flexible schedule

• Health insurance

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Vision insurance

CoverCress Inc. is a growing company with a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment, with opportunities for growth and professional development.