Senior Scientist – Agricultural Chemistry, Plant Toxicology

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Work closely with the Program Manager and team to implement ambitious research initiatives, aiding in the development, funding, and management of both new and existing R&D programs aimed at improving health outcomes for all.

• Oversee programs and projects related to the molecular discovery of next-generation herbicides and associated treatments to ensure high crop productivity.

• Offer subject matter expertise in plant toxicology, focusing on herbicide mechanisms of action, phytotoxicity, molecular effectiveness markers, and the environmental fate of agrochemicals in ecological systems, soil, and water.

• Assess technical proposals for their scientific validity and innovative potential.

• Conduct market and regulatory analyses, perform technical due diligence, carry out literature reviews, and create briefing documents that summarize technical topics.

• Produce technical and administrative program documentation within tight deadlines to convey the technical approach, progress, costs, schedule, and risks involved.

⛳️ Requirements

• A PhD in a relevant field with over 2 years of experience is preferred; an MS in a related field with 5+ years of experience or a BA in a related field with 7+ years of experience is also acceptable.

• Proficiency in plant toxicology and/or agricultural chemistry, along with analytical chemical methods, spectroscopy techniques, and molecular biology methods.

• Experience in developing and/or assessing analytical chemistry methods for agricultural purposes; field-deployable sensing platforms; biosensor-based detection systems; and spectroscopic or chromatographic techniques.

• Familiarity with leading industry figures and disruptive AI-enabled and high-throughput herbicide development methods, including biological herbicides, precision agriculture technologies, agrochemical remediation, and chemical sensing and detection.

• Preferred familiarity with USDA and EPA-regulated agricultural technologies and policies, as well as intersections with the FDA concerning biotechnology.

• Experience in coordinating independent verification and validation, along with prior program management experience involving cooperative agreements, Other Transaction (OT) awards, milestone-based contracts, FFRDCs, interagency initiatives, and commercialization efforts.

• Ideal candidates should possess strong skills in PowerPoint and Excel, including proficiency with keyboard shortcuts and the ability to create PPT slides and Excel files quickly during meetings in high-pressure situations.

• A strong sense of professional curiosity, a continuous desire for learning, and the ability to concentrate on assigned tasks are essential traits for the ideal candidate.

• Capability to convey complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences, synthesize basic and applied research across biotechnology sectors, and show a willingness to investigate scientific literature for emerging biotechnologies.

• Must work well in a team environment, showcasing exceptional communication, writing, and organizational abilities.

• Expertise in anticipating and addressing ethical, legal, and societal implications of high-profile research initiatives is preferred.

• Must be eligible to obtain a federal government Public Trust clearance.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.