Position:  Gene Editing Lab Technician (2nd Shift)

Shift: 2nd Shift (3pm - 11pm)

Location: South San Francisco

Type: Full-time

Desired start date: ASAP

The Opportunity: 

Ohalo Genetics is seeking a motivated Gene Editing Lab Technician who will contribute to the advancement of plant variety development. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, enthusiastic about hands-on work, and responsible. Prior experience in a sterile work environment, plant breeding or gene editing is a plus, but is not required. The Gene Editing Lab Technician will assist in specific duties to ensure the overall success of the gene editing laboratory. This role will involve additional responsibilities related to lab operations, plant inventory maintenance, and process development. This role is not limited to only lab work, and offers opportunities to contribute to various aspects of our lab's growth.

Responsibilities: 

• Protoplast Isolation, Transfection, and Culture:
• Perform enzymatic digestion of plant tissues (e.g., leaf, root, or callus) to isolate viable protoplasts.
• Transfect protoplasts using PEG-mediated transfection or electroporation methods.
• Culture transfected protoplasts to regenerate callus
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and documentation of SOPs for protoplast workflows.
• Microscopy and Imaging:
• Assess protoplast yield, viability, and cell health using fluorescence and confocal microscopy and viability dyes (e.g., FDA staining).
• Data Recording and Analysis:
• Maintain accurate and detailed electronic lab notebooks (ELN) and batch records.
• Compile and analyze experimental data using tools such as ImageJ, GraphPad Prism, or Excel.
• Sample Preparation:
• Prepare samples for downstream molecular analyses, including RNA extraction, protein extraction, and genomic DNA isolation.
• Cross-Functional Support and Collaboration:
• Collaborate with other Technicians, Research Associates, and Scientists on workflows, ensuring that critical processes are completed.

Lab Maintenance and Compliance:

• Follow safety protocols and institutional guidelines for working with plant tissue and enzymes.
• Perform all tasks in a manner consistent with and in support of all company policies and practices related to safety and compliance.
• Performs other duties as assigned
  
  

Candidate Profile: 

• Ability to accurately follow verbal and written instructions as well as make suggestions to optimize methodologies 
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time and do repetitive motions
• Ability to take a proactive approach to routine tasks
• Must be passionate about learning and enthusiastic about plants and hands-on work 
• Must have a positive attitude and good interpersonal skills
• Ability to ask clarifying questions
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment with multiple departments
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds on intermittent basis and possess the ability to sit for extended periods of time
• Candidate must prioritize safety

Desired skills/experience: 

• Experience working in a lab including sterile technique, micropropagation, media preparation, microscopy, and DNA extraction

Below is the pay range for this position that we reasonably expect to pay. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience, education, skillset, and other relevant qualifications. This range is for the South San Francisco, California location and may be adjusted to the labor market in other geographic areas.

Anticipated Compensation: $33/hr

About Ohalo: 

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.

Ohalo is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Ohalo is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

No visa sponsorship is available for this position at this time. 

This organization participates in E-Verify. Posters linked here. 

No recruiters, please.

Position: Production Manager:  Gene Editing and Tissue Culture Production 

Location: South San Francisco, CA

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly driven Production Manager to lead multi-shift operations across gene editing, media formulation/production, and plant tissue culture. This role is responsible for delivering against ambitious throughput, turnaround time (TAT), and quality targets while building and developing strong frontline leaders.

You will oversee shift leads and technical teams, drive operational excellence, and ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality production at scale. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, biotech production environment.  You will be responsible for all aspects of day to day production operations as well as reporting KPIs to the organization. 

What You’ll Do:

Lead & Develop High-Performing Teams

• Directly manage shift leaders and supervisors across multiple shifts
• Train, mentor, and hold leaders accountable to clear performance expectations
• Build bench strength through structured onboarding, skills development, and succession planning
• Foster a culture of ownership, urgency, quality, and continuous improvement
  
  

Drive Operational Execution

• Own daily production across gene editing, media formulation, and tissue culture workflows
• Deliver on throughput, TAT, yield, and quality targets
• Optimize labor, materials, and equipment utilization
• Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements to increase capacity, and optimize resources and cost. 
• Report out KPIs weekly
• Partner with Engineering to define automation improvements and software to define MES tracking and dashboards requirements
• Build and Manage daily production trackers and lead standups across the organization

Ensure Quality, Compliance & Safety

• Maintain strict adherence to SOPs, quality systems, and biosafety standards
• Partner with Quality and EHS to resolve deviations and drive corrective actions
• Champion contamination control and operational discipline
• Build systems and trackers as needed to support and document compliance
  
  

Scale for Growth

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean/Six Sigma mindset preferred)
• Support process transfer, scale-up, and operational readiness initiatives
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality to bring new production processes online, provide input to MES, and assure all end to end production stability. 

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Plant Science, Bioengineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 5+ years of experience in Ag, biotech or life sciences manufacturing
• Experience leading multi-shift production teams
• Strong background in plant tissue culture, sterile workflows, or cell-based production
• Demonstrated success improving throughput and reducing turnaround time
• Data-driven mindset with strong operational discipline
• Proven ability to coach leaders and build accountable teams

The anticipated base pay range for this role is $110,000 - $140,000 per year for our South San Francisco location, which represents multiple levels for this function.  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: 

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.

Ohalo is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Ohalo is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

No visa sponsorship is available for this position at this time. 

This organization participates in E-Verify. Posters linked here. 

No recruiters, please.