See More Jobs From Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc

Research Scientist (9172BR) - (Garden City, Kansas, Mid-West United States, USA)
Company: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Website: http://www.pioneer.com
               Apply below
Open Til: 30-Jan-10
Industry Sector: Agribusiness
Industry Type: Biotechnology
Career Type: Researcher/Scientist
Job Type: Full Time
Minimum Years Experience Required: N/A
Salary: TBD

Send This Job To A Friend

Job Description:
The Research Scientist will be expected to provide leadership for the development and deployment of new phenotyping technologies for agronomic traits, with a specific focus on drought tolerance. These technologies will be applied to the development of maize products with enhanced drought tolerance via transgenic solutions and/or targeted breeding with validated QTL. Final product performance in the context of other trait technologies such as nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) insect protection and herbicide tolerance will also be evaluated by the Research Scientist, ensuring an understanding and estimation of potential transgenic trait interactions.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Provide leadership on development of field scale drought tolerance phenotyping. The Research Scientist will develop novel high throughput phenotyping approaches that will provide high resolution for evaluating the efficacy of native and transgenic drought tolerant germplasm, as well as development of field screening locations that provide for effective trait phenotyping. The Research Scientist will actively investigate mechanisms limiting maize productivity that may be enhanced by improved drought tolerance. The Research Scientist will evaluate the interaction of drought tolerance and NUE in appropriate managed stress locations.

Oversee the execution of field evaluations of drought tolerance trials to identify commercial transgenic and native variation solutions for better maize products. The Research Scientist will work with research station support staff to complete large scale field evaluations of drought tolerant candidate genes. The Research Scientist will train technical staff for efficient and safe execution of these studies. The Research Scientist will lead the design, execution and data analysis and interpretation of the studies. The Research Scientist will work with staff of other research locations when necessary to conduct wide area multiple site evaluations.

Contribute to drought tolerance team activities for development of drought tolerant products. The Research Scientist will contribute to a cross-functional, multiple discipline science team effort focused on improving drought tolerance. This will include trait dissection work, aimed at prioritizing traits for impact, modeling work aimed at validating the impact of drought tolerance QTL, and field testing site development, aimed at providing high quality phenotypic data for drought tolerance. Interaction across multiple functional groups including, but not limited to, Agronomic Traits, Trait Characterization and Development, Trait Integration and Maize Product Development will be essential.

Contribute to trait interaction studies of new potential products, containing insect protection, herbicide tolerance, drought tolerance, NUE and yield enhancement. The Research Scientist will be responsible for evaluations of other agronomic traits in the development pipeline. These include insect traits, herbicide tolerance traits, NUE and yield enhancement. Execute projects in support of technology evaluation and business unit needs inherent to crop management, crop rotations, and environmental conditions representative of Western geographies.

Provide leadership in support of successful product development at the Research Center and in the Business Unit. The Research Scientist will contribute to Research Center activities and effectively communicate with other scientists as necessary to insure the success of all research programs at that center. The Research Scientist will support the Business Unit by providing input on new products, and by providing technology updates and discussions at sales training sessions and at grower meetings.

Educational Qualifications Desired:
Ph.D. in biological sciences, including Crop Physiology, Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Crop Modeling or scientific related field and minimum of 4 to 6 years of field research experience, or equivalent amount of relevant education and experience. Post doctoral experience may serve as experience.

Competencies and Experience Desired:
Experience working with yield evaluations under abiotic and/or biotic stresses preferred.
Extensive understanding of the interaction of genetics, drought, and density in maize as they influence yield potential and yield stability. Understanding of small plot research techniques leading to high quality data is essential.

Excellent interpersonal skills, experience in managing research staff and a proven track record of operating in a complex team environment.

Experience with irrigation management and water-use by maize. Precision farming techniques and remote sensing a plus.

Excellent computer, data management, statistical analysis, and data presentation skills are essential.

Understanding of product needs for North American maize markets.
~cb~ 9/3/2009