Research Scientist - Agronomy

State College, PA

Full Time

Mid Level

WE ARE MINDFUL, ORIGINAL, & BOLD

Phospholutions, Inc. is an award-winning and venture-backed agtech start-up company enhancing global phosphorus use. Phospholutions is experiencing exponential growth with the recent launch of their proprietary RhizoSorb® technology helping reduce the environmental impact of fertilizers and helping growers achieve more from their crop inputs.

Headquartered in State College, PA, Phospholutions is growing their team to support the commercial launch of RhizoSorb® technology following multiple years of successful field trials, three decades of academic research, and backed by leading industry investors, with a Research Scientist - Agronomy in State College, PA.

If you are an experienced, self-motivated research professional seeking a new career opportunity executing day-to-day research and greenhouse management, passionate about improving nutrient use efficiency and sustainability, and have success planning, implementing and executing agronomy projects, we highly encourage you to apply for this position!

ROLE OBJECTIVE
We value energy, passion, authenticity, creativity…and results! The individual hired for this position will assume ownership of and perform a diverse range of tasks, becoming an essential business partner to the Research & Development (R&D) team, overseeing, designing, and achieving critical research and development objectives and strategies by serving as an Agronomy subject matter expert.

With a focus on the responsible ecological use of phosphorus, this position will lead internal colleagues regarding greenhouse and agronomy studies/projects and be instrumental in research planning and data analysis. Among other responsibilities, this role will develop technical verbal and written reports and presentations for both internal and external partners charting progress on goals, milestones and research findings as well as manage greenhouse studies and operations and assist in the preparation of grant applications. This position will supervise and mentor Research Associates and Technicians and/or Interns and provide day-to-day directions related to research tasks. The Research Scientist will report to our Vice President of Research and Development.

KEY RESPONSBILITIES
Research & Development:

Direct day-to-day research project activities and act as internal resource for technical information pertaining to products, plant science, soil science, agriculture, and agronomy
Manage greenhouse studies and operations
Generate invention disclosures and new patentable ideas, and assist in progress through steps of patent process
Conduct and supervise research; analyze data toward project direction goals and milestones; write technical reports and create presentations
Identify, evaluate, and suggest improvements to new and existing products to better meet company goals of responsible global management or phosphorus in agriculture
Gather, evaluate, and summarize new product functions and the scientific information to back up claims that will be made on products

Reporting & Writing:

Prepare verbal and written reports and presentations to communicate research findings to scientists, executive suite, colleagues, academics, and the lay public
Apply for grants to fund research prior to commercialization and support grant studies in the lab, greenhouse, etc.
Compose proposals to government agencies and commercial institutions

Partnerships & Continuous Learning:

Identify, pursue, and maintain collaborative efforts/relationships with industry, CRO, academic, and other strategic partners
Collaborate with internal and external research teams and our internal commercial team
Keep abreast of relevant scientific and technical developments

Practice and maintain updated lab and greenhouse safety procedures and safe handling of materials

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise and mentor Research Associates and Technicians and/or interns
Manage a portion of the R&D budget
Maintain a high level of scientific integrity and safety for self and team

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Core Competencies:

Strong knowledge of plant and soil science and an understanding of standard agronomic practices
Capable of maintaining a high level of scientific integrity, laboratory and greenhouse safety
Demonstrated success managing time and prioritizing work requests
Strong scientific skills and math skills including the use of statistics, formulas, charts and tables
Ability to supervise, communicate, collaborate, and build strong working relationships with others
Deductive and inductive reasoning
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Project management skills
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment and assume personal ownership of R&D activities, outcomes and goals
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including mastery of correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax and tone

Education & Experience:

Ph.D. in Agronomy, Plant Science, Soil Science, or a related field from an accredited university or college
Experience in agronomy/fertility, phosphorus use efficiency, or related industry
Demonstrated experience with protocol and research study development
Experience evaluating and developing models for environmental nutrient flows and LCA carbon footprint analysis preferred
Experience with soil columns and/or chromatography preferred

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. This company does not sponsor applicants for work visas
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to multiple work locations as needed
Demonstrated laboratory and greenhouse research and management experience
Proficient in statistics and graphic software(s)
“Day-1 Expert-level” proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word)
Background checks (criminal/education/employment/reference/credit/DMV) will be performed; results must be satisfactory to the company.
If hired, must adhere to all company policies and procedures and other prescribed best practices/industry standards

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be able to lift 50 to 60 pounds as needed
Frequent sitting, standing, moving forward/back/side-to-side, and working around greenhouse and laboratory equipment; where exposure to electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals, oils, sealants, solvents, and other compounds is possible
Ability to work in an area where pesticides are used

LOCATION
This position is in State College, PA with occasional travel for research projects, conferences and to act as a technical liaison.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This is an IMMEDIATE opportunity, BUT we are looking for an awesome new team member, so the position will remain open until filled.
Our company utilizes E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. You can learn about this program by visiting the E-Verify website.
The Company reserves the right to alter, change, modify and/or terminate this job posting at any time without notice, or obligation. No recruiters, please; principal applicants only.

Phospholutions, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, familial status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

* * *

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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What is motivating you to apply for this role?*

Do you have a Ph.D. in Agronomy, Plant Science, Soil Science or related field from an accredited university or college?* Yes. I have a Ph.D. in one of the disciplines described above.No, I have not achieved this minimum requirements.

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status?* Yes. If "yes", thanks for making this fact known to us. A job requirement is that applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This Company does not sponsor applicants for work visas.I am currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Do you have experience managing greenhouse studies and operations?*

Briefly explain any experience you may have generating invention disclosures and new patentable ideas. Explain the role you had, if any, in the patenting process of an idea.*

If not currently located in the State College, PA area, are you willing to relocate to this area?*

This is an immediate job opportunity in State College, PA. This is not a remote work opportunity. If hired, will you be able to report to work daily at the company’s State College office?* Yes, I can report to State College, PA daily.No, I cannot report to State College, PA daily.

This position requires you to have the means and ability to drive locally to complete required job tasks. Do you possess a valid driver's license, a registered and insured vehicle, and the ability to drive locally, as needed?* Yes, I possess a valid driver's license, a registered and insured vehicle, and the ability to drive locally.No, I do not possess a valid driver's license, a registered and insured vehicle, and/or have the ability to drive locally

What salary range would you consider for this position? Negotiable is not a preferred response to this question.*

If hired, what is the earliest date you would be able to start working with Phospholutions? Please describe the nature of any delayed start date. Thank you.*

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Research Scientist - Agronomy

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