DuPont Pioneer is currently seeking a Senior Research Associate in Kinston, North Carolina.

The Senior Research Associate is an integral member of a team committed to developing and testing elite soybean varieties adapted to the Southeast, primarily in maturity groups VI and VII.

Responsibilities

• The Senior Research Associate will plan and conduct nursery experiments consistent with a comprehensive commercial soybean breeding program.
• Primary responsibility will be to coordinate molecular breeding activities, including experimental design, marker strategy and tracking resource allocation.
• The Senior Research Associate will also assist the Research Scientist in implementing selection strategies for developing commercial products, including the development of inbred populations, application of molecular markers, and integration of new traits.
• Must maintain a strong working knowledge of molecular breeding, suggest and select strategies based upon background knowledge and available information, and leverage molecular marker data to assist in making appropriate decisions.
• Other responsibilities will include coordination of seed preparation, planting, sampling, herbicide applications, plot maintenance, disease inoculation, harvesting, and data collection.
• Resolve data quality issues, analyze experiments and interpret the results.
• Lead efforts to manage breeding program data through use of company-wide databases and information management systems created in-house as needed.
• Maintain and guide effective summaries of the breeding program to aid in decision-making.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other Senior Research Associates (SRA) and Scientists in the organization on shared projects.
• Supervise assigned staff using effective performance management, task training, and safety training to support team-based approach to accomplishing project goals.
• Ensure all employees have a clear understanding of protocols and procedures pertaining to tasks being performed.
• Recruit, hire, orient, supervise, and evaluate employee performance.
• Participate in other areas of support of breeding programs at the station.

This position may require extended hours and overnight trips to off-site locations during peak periods. Additional travel may be necessary to assist at off-season nursery locations.

Continuous training will be required in order to obtain new skills needed for utilization of new technologies and to stay current with changes in the industry.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Plant Breeding/Genetics/Molecular Breeding or related field and 2-4 years of related experience is required.
• Master's degree and 0-2 years of related experience is preferred. Equivalent amounts of relevant education and experience are also acceptable.
• Support skills in statistics, plant pathology, biotechnology, and agronomy are a plus.
• Must be self-motivated and possess strong interpersonal, plus verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead, innovate and succeed in a team environment.
• Attention to detail, commitment to accuracy, and good organizational skills are necessary.
• Candidates should possess a working knowledge of statistics and plant breeding principles.
• Experience and ability to apply molecular markers is required.
• Candidates should possess a demonstrated ability to work effectively on multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• The candidate must have the ability to train/supervise temporary employees and have the ability to work as a strong team member as well as work independently when needed.
• Ability to operate farm equipment is preferred but not required. This includes, but is not limited to planting equipment, herbicide applicators, and plot harvest equipment.
• Must be able to obtain a, WPS herbicide certification and pesticide applicator’s license.
• Additional certifications may be required in the future.
• Must be competent with computer hardware and software programs including the Microsoft Office Suite.

Apply online at www.pioneer.com/careers.  
Submit to job 20128BR.

EOE