Cultivation Research Associate

At Curaleaf, we're redefining the cannabis industry with a strong commitment to quality, expertise, and innovation. As a leading global cannabis provider, our brands-including Curaleaf, Select, and Grassroots-offer premium products and services in both medical and adult-use markets.

Join us at Curaleaf to be part of a high-growth, purpose-driven company that champions corporate social responsibility through our Rooted in Good initiative, supporting community outreach and positive change. Here, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, drive innovation, and help shape the future of cannabis.

Title: Cultivation Research Associate
Pay Rate: $16.00/hr
Location: Central Phoenix, AZ
Job Type: Full Time | Non-Exempt
Shift: Tuesday-Saturday | 5:00am - 1:30pm

Who You Are:
You're passionate about cannabis science and hands-on cultivation, with a strong interest in strain development and plant genetics. You bring curiosity, precision, and prior growing experience - whether in a professional environment or through dedicated personal cultivation. You're eager to learn the research side of cultivation, helping to develop new strains and optimize plant performance through data-driven methods.

What You'll Do:

As a Cultivation Research Associate at Curaleaf's Research & Development facility, you'll support the full plant life cycle - from propagation to harvest - while contributing to research initiatives focused on genetics, breeding, and phenotype selection. You'll maintain detailed records, monitor environmental conditions, and help implement cultivation trials that drive new product innovation and quality improvements. Your day will include:

• Performing daily plant care such as cutting, rooting, transplanting, watering, feeding, trimming, staking, and pruning to keep plants healthy
• Tracking humidity, moisture, and temperature to maintain ideal growing conditions and meet quality goals
• Inspecting plants for leaf health, bloom size, pests, or disease and removing any that don't meet standards
• Assisting with harvest by cutting plants, trimming, removing flowering tops, weighing products, and recording inventory in the electronic tracking system
• Supporting the curing process by hanging and dry-racking flowers, monitoring climate conditions, labeling and weighing products, and entering inventory data
• Operating and maintaining lighting, irrigation, and climate-control systems while stocking supplies and keeping all cultivation areas and tools clean and sanitized
• Pitching in during high-demand periods to help prepare and package products, including premium extraction items
• Following state regulations and security procedures by accurately labeling plants and entering inventory information

What You'll Bring:

• You have a true passion for cannabis and plant science, backed by hands-on experience growing, harvesting, or breeding - whether in a professional cultivation environment or through serious personal projects
• You bring the flexibility to work across both the North and Central Phoenix facilities, supporting cultivation and research priorities wherever needed
• You thrive in a fast-paced, team environment, collaborating with others while fostering a positive and professional atmosphere
• You bring sharp attention to detail, ensuring quality and consistency in every task
• You are reliable and detail-oriented, with strong documentation, inventory, and organizational skills that help you stay on top of a tight schedule
• You have solid math and measurement skills and the ability to operate a scale with confidence
• You have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent

Even Better If:

• You have expertise in cannabis genetics and breeding, developing and refining new strains through research and cultivation
• You bring knowledge of growing technologies such as lighting, irrigation, soil, and nutrients, along with hands-on experience in landscaping, horticulture, or agriculture

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, sit, and walk for extended periods of time (8-10 hours per shift)
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly and occasional lifting of heavier items with assistance
• Frequent and repetitive use of hands and wrists for extended periods of time
• Repetitive bending, squatting, and reaching
• Ability to climb ladders or step stools to access plants or equipment
• Ability to use required PPE when required, such as masks, hair nets, beard covers, respirators, boot covers, scrubs, non-slip shoes, and Tyvek suits as necessary

Environmental Conditions

• Exposure to environments with high humidity, varying temperatures, and strong odors (such as cannabis)
• Exposure to soil, water, fertilizer, dust, pollen and plant pathogens
• Exposure to cleaning solvents, such as high volumes of isopropyl alcohol
• Exposure to loud noises, including but not limited to air compressors, packaging equipment, and alarms
• Exposure to CO2 manufacturing procedures at OSHA approved CO2 levels

Curaleaf Pay Transparency

$16-$16 USD

What We Offer:

• Career Growth Opportunities
• Competitive Pay and Benefits
• Generous PTO and Parental Leave
• 401(K) Retirement Plan
• Life/ Disability Insurance
• Community Involvement
• Referral Bonuses and Product Discounts

Benefits vary by state, role type, and eligibility.

Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: @curaleaf.usa
Twitter: @Curaleaf_Inc
LinkedIn: Curaleaf LinkedIn

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing, and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company, and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, JAMS, Find and Zero Proof provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets. Curaleaf International is the largest vertically integrated cannabis company in Europe with a unique supply and distribution network throughout the European market, bringing together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction, and production. Home | Curaleaf | Cannabis with Confidence

Our Vision: To be the world's leading cannabis company by consistently delivering superior products and services and driving the global acceptance of cannabis.

Our Values:

• Lead and Inspire.
• Commit to Win.
• ONE Curaleaf.
• Driven to Deliver Excellence.

Curaleaf is an equal opportunity employer. Curaleaf recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Individuals adversely impacted by the war on drugs are encouraged to apply.

Current Curaleaf employees should apply for open positions through our Internal Job Board, which can be accessed via the link on The Leaf.