Job Information
Actalent Lab Assistant in Johnston, Iowa
Job Title: Lab Assistant
Job Description
This role involves performing day-to-day activities within a greenhouse facility, focusing on the care and maintenance of soybean plants in growth chambers. Responsibilities include planting, pollinating, tissue sampling, pest and disease scouting, harvesting, threshing, and sanitation. The position requires meticulous data collection and entry, ensuring facility cleanliness and safety standards. The role does not involve traditional lab work, but rather hands-on plant care and maintenance.
Responsibilities
Conduct daily greenhouse and growth chamber activities such as planting and pollinating.
Perform tissue sampling for DNA analysis from soybean plants.
Water, pot soil, and care for plants in the growth chamber.
Replant samples following data review.
Assist in operating the soybean threshing machine.
Plate samples for testing by the Molecular Marker group.
Ensure facility cleanliness and perform basic duties as assigned.
Maintain plant health through trimming, training, and node cleaning.
Cross-pollinate and discard plants as necessary.
Work with soybean, wheat, pollen, and dust.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Associates or Bachelor's degree in Life Science (Horticulture, Agriculture, Agricultural Studies) is preferred.
Minimum of 6 months of greenhouse or field experience.
Willingness to work in a greenhouse environment rather than a lab.
Work Environment
The position is based in a large, climate-controlled facility with 32 growth chambers dedicated to soybean plants. The environment is consistently warm, ranging from 80-85 degrees and sunny, requiring comfort in such conditions. The role is physically demanding, involving standing for 8 hours a day and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Johnston, IA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $20.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Johnston,IA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Mar 18, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.