Full-Time
Lab Technician
Behavioral Assays
Updated on 9/12/2026
Monarch
Develops non-toxic spatial repellent for crops
Compensation Overview
$50k - $75k/yr
Emeryville, CA, USA
In Person
Full-time, in-office work in Emeryville, California.
 Biology & Biotech (1) |
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- Experience in behavioral assays and insect behavior research.
- Analytical skills.
- A strong work ethic.
- Design and develop behavioral assays to assess insect responses to predicted repellent compounds.
- Lead experiments to test compounds for broad-spectrum effectiveness.
- Analyze experimental data to optimize compound performance, ensuring both repellency and pleasant odor characteristics.
- Present findings to the leadership team and contribute to the ongoing development of novel insect repellents.
Monarch Crops develops non-toxic spatial repellents to protect crops from insect damage. The product works by emitting signals that cause insects to avoid landing on treated crops, leveraging natural olfactory cues rather than killing insects. Monarch combines a comprehensive dataset that includes genomic, molecular, and behavioral information with computational chemistry and machine learning to identify natural compounds that trigger an avoidance response in insects. This data-driven discovery aims to formulate repellent products that safeguard crops while keeping humans and the environment safe. Unlike traditional insecticides, Monarch focuses on prevention through odor-based avoidance and seeks sustainable pest management solutions to reduce crop losses and health risks associated with toxic chemicals. The company’s goal is to enable crop protection that is effective, environmentally friendly, and economically viable for farmers.
Company Size
N/A
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Oakland, California
Founded
2024
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Monarch's August 2026 website says it is developing a product that works.
- Four open R&D roles in February 2026 show active experimentation and team building.
- Lead Entomologist hiring cited machine-learning-predicted compounds, validating the core discovery approach.
What critics are saying
- No public field trials, customer contracts, or revenue prove the repellent works commercially.
- Hiring remains research-heavy in Alameda and Oakland, signaling product risk and long development timelines.
- If efficacy misses broad-spectrum insects, Monarch becomes another biotech platform with no defensible market.
What makes Monarch unique
- Monarch builds a spatial repellent, not a conventional insecticide, targeting crop protection.
- Its data engine combines genomics, behavioral assays, and computational chemistry for compound discovery.
- Open roles in formulation chemistry and computational entomology show a deep wet-lab plus ML moat.
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