Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is currently seeking a Senior Research Associate in Woodland, California.

Job Description:

The Senior Research Associate (SRA) position will expand the capacity and lead the field agronomy group at Woodland Research Station. Provide technical leadership for running the field agronomy group and ensure that high quality field plots are enabled for precision phenotyping, yield testing experiments, and breeding nurseries conducted at Woodland Research Station and at off-station locations. Be the primary lead for resource planning and management of all day-to-day agronomy tasks. Supervise two full-time employees, one PTR and seasonal employees and will coordinate all agronomy activities with lead scientists responsible for projects conducted at Woodland Research Station.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Provide team leadership and undertake planning for all research plot agronomy activities at the Woodland Research Station and off-site locations; including seed-bed preparation, fertilization, cultivation, weed control, scouting, spraying, rotation and new land evaluation. As the agronomy team lead, oversee execution of all required field agronomy activities.
Monitor and ensure the highest possible plot quality across all experiments. Manage soil nutrient analysis to ensure optimum fertilization and maintain soil analysis database. Determine pesticide options based upon systematic field monitoring and provide recommendations for chemical applications.

Oversee necessary maintenance for station equipment to enable equipment readiness for all agronomy and field operations. Maintain GPS equipment and software implementation. Oversee routine maintenance of the research facility, including the potable water system. Ensure proper disposal of regulated seed. Act as station contact for REST and vendors of field equipment.

Work in partnership with Operations Team, project lead scientists and Woodland Leadership Team to monitor effectiveness of all Woodland Station field agronomy activities. In consultation with the Woodland Leadership Team and colleagues at research stations across Pioneer, conduct focused research to identify potential technological innovations to improve agronomic practices at Woodland Implement and monitor progress towards achieving high plot quality for all precision phenotyping experiments and long-term sustainability of the research station.

Supervise direct reports and manage performance plans. Provide day-to-day oversight of all agronomy tasks working with co-workers, direct reports and teams of temporary workers. Ensure safe work practices are implemented for all tasks. Serve as safety role model for all team members and co-workers.

Qualifications:

• Masters degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural engineering or scientific related field and minimum of 2 to 4 years of industry related experience required, or equivalent amount of relevant education and experience.

Desired Competencies:

• Possess knowledge of mechanics and electronics of farm equipment.
• Strong knowledge in soil fertility.
• Possession or ability to obtain a California Qualified Pesticide Applicator Certificate or License.
• Strong organizational skills.
• At least five years of hands-on experience working on field operations associated with small plot research experiments.
• Demonstrated ability to apply computer skills to enhance the success of agronomy research.
• Ability to lead teams of technical staff and temporary employees to execute on multiple time sensitive projects.
• Ability to multi-task on complex processes involved in the day-to-day running of multiple complex
• precision phenotyping experiments by applying strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work with little supervision, independently and in teams.
• Excellent communicator with multiple scientific and field technical colleagues and multiple reports.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish is recommended.

Req ID for this position is 11213BR.
For more information and to apply, please visit www.pioneer.com/careers.