California Berry Cultivars (CBC) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Pathology Lab Assistant to join our plant pathology and molecular laboratory team at French Camp, CA. This position supports the strawberry pathology program, including pathogen culture maintenance, inoculum preparation, and disease screening. Additional responsibilities include plant disease diagnosis, molecular lab workflows and general laboratory operations. The role offers hands-on experience and professional growth opportunities within CBC’s expanding research and development programs.
Major Responsibilities
Perform fungal pathogen culture, maintenance, and inoculum production.
Support greenhouse disease screening experiments, including setup, data collection, and record keeping.
Assist with molecular biology procedures such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, RT-PCR, and qPCR.
Prepare culture media, buffers, and reagents for microbiology and molecular assays.
Conduct isolation and identification of plant pathogens (fungi, bacteria, etc.) and assist with taxonomy as well as molecular diagnosis.
Maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization, and waste management.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment (centrifuges, pipettes, incubators, thermal cyclers, biosafety cabinets, etc.).
Follow biosafety and phytosanitary protocols to ensure laboratory compliance.
Collaborate across teams and provide general work support as needed.
Qualifications & Skills
Bachelor’s degree (or working toward/equivalent laboratory experience) in Plant Science, Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related field.
Prior experience in microbiology, molecular biology, or plant pathology preferred (training provided for the right candidate).
Strong attention to detail and ability to follow written SOPs.
Familiarity with aseptic techniques and laboratory instrumentation.
Excellent organizational, data management, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand or sit for extended periods at lab benches.
Lift up to 25 lbs (e.g., reagents, media, plant materials).
Manual dexterity for handling delicate samples and laboratory tools.
Work Environment
Laboratory setting with regular use of biological and molecular equipment.
Year-round greenhouse work for plant care and disease scoring.
Occasional field travel for sample collection.
Compensation
Pay Range: $20 – $27 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
Comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions.
Employment Type
Full-time, non-exempt position. Employment is at-will in accordance with California state law.
Equal Opportunity Employment
California Berry Cultivars, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 - $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
