Research Scientist Jobs in Missouri
Research Scientist jobs in Missouri are consistently in demand, with concentration in pharmaceutical and life sciences, agricultural biotechnology, and defense research across St. Louis, Kansas City, and Columbia. Employers with deep Missouri roots such as Bayer, Boeing, and the University of Missouri maintain ongoing needs at the postdoctoral, mid-level, and senior investigator levels. The most sought-after specialties include molecular biology, materials science, and data-driven clinical research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Research Scientist JobsOverview
Open roles5
Top employerDonald Danforth Plant Science Center
Top citySt. Louis, MO
Cities hiring4
Work type100% On-site
Top industryMedia
Showing 5 of 5+ Research Scientist jobs
Research Scientist and/or Postdoctoral Associate
We won't show you this job again
Added 4d ago
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Research Scientist and/or Postdoctoral Associate
St. Louis, Missouri
Added 4d ago
Research Scientist
We won't show you this job again
Added 2w ago
Inotiv
Research Scientist
St. Louis, Missouri
Added 2w ago
Research Scientist or Senior Research Associate - Taylor Lab
We won't show you this job again
Added 1mo ago
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Research Scientist or Senior Research Associate - Taylor Lab
Olivette, Missouri
Added 1mo ago
Research Scientist IV
We won't show you this job again
Added 2mo ago
Brewer Science, Inc.
Research Scientist IV
Rolla, Missouri
Added 2mo ago
Research Scientist
We won't show you this job again
Added 6mo ago
Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics
Research Scientist
Kansas City, Missouri
Added 6mo ago
Looking for more research scientist jobs?
Explore related role searches to find more openings that fit.
See related jobsAdded 4d ago
Research Scientist and/or Postdoctoral Associate
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center·St. Louis, Missouri
Job functions:
Doctoral degree in biochemistry
51-200 employees
Job Description
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is launching a multi-lab research initiative to improve food and cover crops for global food security, agricultural sustainability, and innovation. To support this effort, we are recruiting multiple full time benefits eligible scientists to join laboratories across the Center. These positions span a shared portfolio of projects that incorporate gene editing, plant transformation, quantitative genetics, and analytical biochemistry.
This is a single call for several openings at our independent, nonprofit research institute located in St. Louis. We encourage mission-motivated candidates with backgrounds in any of the skill areas described below to apply; applications will be matched to the laboratory and project that best fit each candidate's expertise and interests. Successful candidates will work in a highly collaborative, well-resourced environment with access to the Center's world-class core facilities, including the Plant Growth Facility, Plant Transformation Facility, the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory, the Bioanalytical Chemistry Facility, the Data Science Core, the Phenotyping Facility, and the Danforth Field Research Site.
Responsibilities:
- Independently designs and conducts research, develops and presents reports based on research findings.
- Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories to potential inventions and products.
- Maintains knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.
- Assists PI in writing research reports, grants and proposals, and may serve as co-PI.
- Mentors graduate students and junior lab members on research techniques and protocols.
- Makes contributions to scientific publications and participates in conferences in their fields.
- Writes and assembles sections of patent applications and/or scientific papers of broad scope within and outside their immediate area of expertise.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and direct independent research
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; capable of handling complex and multidisciplinary datasets
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for publications, proposals, and team leadership
- Experience mentoring students or junior staff in research settings
- Track record of scholarly publications and contributions to the scientific community
- Understanding of intellectual property, scientific publishing, and research grant processes
- Capacity to think creatively and strategically about new research directions
- Collaborative spirit and the ability to engage with cross-functional and cross-disciplinary teams
- Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship
Who we're looking for
We are hiring across a range of participating laboratories and research areas. Depending on the position, projects address challenges such as increasing yield and nutritional quality in cassava, sorghum, cowpea, and maize; engineering disease and drought resilience; developing cover crops and perennial grains for regenerative agriculture; advancing plant transformation and gene-editing platforms.
Gene editing and molecular biology
- CRISPR/Cas design and multiplexed editing in crop species, construct assembly, and molecular characterization of edited and transgenic lines.
- Plant transformation, tissue culture, and regeneration, including work with recalcitrant genotypes and morphogenic regulator systems.
- Trait engineering through overexpression, targeted knockout, and gene stacking (e.g., disease resistance, biofortification).
Genomics, computational biology, and AI
- Quantitative and population genetics, GWAS, genomic and phenomic prediction, and pangenome-enabled analyses.
- Machine learning and computer vision applied to image, genomic, environmental, and process data — including predictive models for transformation efficiency and decision-support tools.
- Bioinformatics and data integration across multimodal datasets, with strong programming skills (e.g., Python, R) and reproducible workflows.
Plant Biology, physiology, biochemistry, soil science, and microbiology
- In-field high-throughput phenotyping to evaluate developmental timing and trajectories, reproductive and vegetative yield, below-ground architecture and root anatomy, and senescence dynamics.
- Analytical characterization of grain and root quality — protein digestibility, amino acid profiling, mineral and phytate content, and processing effects.
- Plant–microbe interactions, including plant-virus interactions, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and engineered microbial consortia for soil health.
- Crop physiology related to regenerative agriculture systems, nutrient-use efficiency, water-use efficiency, drought and heat resilience, and stress tolerance.
- Plant–soil interface dynamics, including the characterization of soil structure, chemical composition, and gas flux profiles within diverse cash and cover crop systems.
Qualifications
- A PhD in plant biology, molecular biology, genetics, plant breeding, physiology, biochemistry, computational biology, agricultural engineering, agroecology, or a closely related field.
- A record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.
- Specific requirements vary by laboratory; relevant hands-on experience in one or more of the skill areas above is expected for each position.
How to apply
Submit a cover letter (clearly indicating your areas of expertise and any project areas of particular interest), a curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references through the Danforth Center careers portal at danforthcenter.org/careers. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Research Scientist and/or Postdoctoral Associate
St. Louis, Missouri
Added 4d ago51-200 employees
Job functions:
Doctoral degree in biochemistry
Job Description
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is launching a multi-lab research initiative to improve food and cover crops for global food security, agricultural sustainability, and innovation. To support this effort, we are recruiting multiple full time benefits eligible scientists to join laboratories across the Center. These positions span a shared portfolio of projects that incorporate gene editing, plant transformation, quantitative genetics, and analytical biochemistry.
This is a single call for several openings at our independent, nonprofit research institute located in St. Louis. We encourage mission-motivated candidates with backgrounds in any of the skill areas described below to apply; applications will be matched to the laboratory and project that best fit each candidate's expertise and interests. Successful candidates will work in a highly collaborative, well-resourced environment with access to the Center's world-class core facilities, including the Plant Growth Facility, Plant Transformation Facility, the Advanced Bioimaging Laboratory, the Bioanalytical Chemistry Facility, the Data Science Core, the Phenotyping Facility, and the Danforth Field Research Site.
Responsibilities:
- Independently designs and conducts research, develops and presents reports based on research findings.
- Investigates the feasibility of applying a wide variety of scientific principles and theories to potential inventions and products.
- Maintains knowledge of state-of-the-art principles and theories.
- Assists PI in writing research reports, grants and proposals, and may serve as co-PI.
- Mentors graduate students and junior lab members on research techniques and protocols.
- Makes contributions to scientific publications and participates in conferences in their fields.
- Writes and assembles sections of patent applications and/or scientific papers of broad scope within and outside their immediate area of expertise.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and direct independent research
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; capable of handling complex and multidisciplinary datasets
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for publications, proposals, and team leadership
- Experience mentoring students or junior staff in research settings
- Track record of scholarly publications and contributions to the scientific community
- Understanding of intellectual property, scientific publishing, and research grant processes
- Capacity to think creatively and strategically about new research directions
- Collaborative spirit and the ability to engage with cross-functional and cross-disciplinary teams
- Live the Danforth Center values: Collaboration, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Integrity & Respect, Environmental Sustainability, and Stewardship
Who we're looking for
We are hiring across a range of participating laboratories and research areas. Depending on the position, projects address challenges such as increasing yield and nutritional quality in cassava, sorghum, cowpea, and maize; engineering disease and drought resilience; developing cover crops and perennial grains for regenerative agriculture; advancing plant transformation and gene-editing platforms.
Gene editing and molecular biology
- CRISPR/Cas design and multiplexed editing in crop species, construct assembly, and molecular characterization of edited and transgenic lines.
- Plant transformation, tissue culture, and regeneration, including work with recalcitrant genotypes and morphogenic regulator systems.
- Trait engineering through overexpression, targeted knockout, and gene stacking (e.g., disease resistance, biofortification).
Genomics, computational biology, and AI
- Quantitative and population genetics, GWAS, genomic and phenomic prediction, and pangenome-enabled analyses.
- Machine learning and computer vision applied to image, genomic, environmental, and process data — including predictive models for transformation efficiency and decision-support tools.
- Bioinformatics and data integration across multimodal datasets, with strong programming skills (e.g., Python, R) and reproducible workflows.
Plant Biology, physiology, biochemistry, soil science, and microbiology
- In-field high-throughput phenotyping to evaluate developmental timing and trajectories, reproductive and vegetative yield, below-ground architecture and root anatomy, and senescence dynamics.
- Analytical characterization of grain and root quality — protein digestibility, amino acid profiling, mineral and phytate content, and processing effects.
- Plant–microbe interactions, including plant-virus interactions, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and engineered microbial consortia for soil health.
- Crop physiology related to regenerative agriculture systems, nutrient-use efficiency, water-use efficiency, drought and heat resilience, and stress tolerance.
- Plant–soil interface dynamics, including the characterization of soil structure, chemical composition, and gas flux profiles within diverse cash and cover crop systems.
Qualifications
- A PhD in plant biology, molecular biology, genetics, plant breeding, physiology, biochemistry, computational biology, agricultural engineering, agroecology, or a closely related field.
- A record of scientific productivity, including peer-reviewed publications.
- Specific requirements vary by laboratory; relevant hands-on experience in one or more of the skill areas above is expected for each position.
How to apply
Submit a cover letter (clearly indicating your areas of expertise and any project areas of particular interest), a curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references through the Danforth Center careers portal at danforthcenter.org/careers. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
See All 5 Research Scientist Jobs in Missouri
Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist JobsResearch Scientist Jobs by City in Missouri
Where Missouri roles are concentrated, by current openings.
St. Louis
2 jobsRolla
1 jobOlivette
1 jobKansas City
1 jobResearch Scientist Job Market in Missouri
A snapshot from current Missouri openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Media & Entertainment
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Missouri Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research scientist jobs across Missouri.
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline such as biology, chemistry, or materials science
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication in a recognized scientific journal
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques specific to the position such as CRISPR, spectroscopy, or cell culture
- Experience designing and executing independent research projects from hypothesis through analysis
- Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks relevant to the Missouri research environment
- Strong written and oral communication skills for grant writing, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration
Research Scientist Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research scientist in Missouri?
Becoming a research scientist in Missouri typically requires at minimum a master's degree, though most industry and academic positions expect a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline. Missouri does not issue a state-specific research scientist license for most roles, but positions in regulated environments such as clinical laboratories may require certification through a body like the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Missouri's major research universities and institutions in St. Louis and Columbia are common entry points through graduate and postdoctoral programs.
Which companies hire research scientists in Missouri?
Companies currently hiring research scientists in Missouri include Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Inotiv, and Brewer Science, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Missouri's concentration of agricultural, defense, and biomedical employers means opportunities exist outside major metros as well, particularly in university-affiliated research parks.
Which Missouri cities have the most research scientist jobs?
St. Louis, Rolla, and Olivette account for the largest share of research scientist openings in Missouri. St. Louis drives the most volume thanks to its dense cluster of pharmaceutical, biotech, and defense contractors, while Kansas City's growing healthcare and agribusiness sectors support steady hiring, and Columbia benefits from University of Missouri research activity anchoring demand in that market.
Are there remote research scientist jobs in Missouri?
Yes, but they're rare. Research scientist roles are largely hands-on and laboratory-based, which limits remote options compared to purely analytical fields. About 0% of research scientist openings tied to Missouri are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve computational modeling, bioinformatics, or data analysis rather than bench work.
How can I get hired as a research scientist in Missouri with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral appointment or graduate research assistantship at a Missouri institution such as Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Missouri, or Saint Louis University. From there, candidates often move into junior scientist or research associate roles at companies like Bayer or Pfizer's Missouri operations. Building a publication record and seeking adjunct laboratory roles or contract research positions are practical ways to develop the experience Missouri employers expect before a full research scientist hire.
Where can I find and apply to research scientist jobs in Missouri?
You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in Missouri on Migrate Mate, which lists current Missouri openings across industries and experience levels. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 5 Research Scientist Jobs in Missouri
Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist Jobs