R&D Scientist (CCA)

The Wonderful Company•Lost Hills, CA

1d•$92,000 - $105,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As a member of the R&D team responsible for validating and creating farming innovations, the R&D Scientist implements daily, seasonal, and yearly technical and research tasks at their base location and as needed across all farming locations. This role is responsible for understanding complex problems and designing and implementing field studies, quickly delivering high-impact findings that lead to business success through economically improved yields and quality. The scientist must be able to work independently and remotely under field, lab, and office conditions, and navigate a widely divergent work environment, interacting with academic professionals as well as farming operations staff. Activities include applied experiments in agronomy, irrigation, cultivars, farming systems, crop protection, and crop physiology.

Requirements

Master’s Degree (with research thesis) in field of Plant Science, Crop Science, or Agricultural Sciences AND 4 years of post-degree agricultural research experience OR Bachelor’s Degree in field of Plant Science, Crop Science, or Agricultural Sciences AND 8 years of post-degree agricultural research experience
Track record of identification and testing of improvements, with successful implementation / commercialization resulting in business impact
Multi-year / multi-crop experience with trial design, implementation, data collection
Statistical analysis using SPSS, RStudio or Excel Data Analysis Toolpak
Innovation-oriented, seeking to address current and future challenges with inquisitiveness and dedication to detail
Customer-oriented focus, serving the needs of farming operations as an adjunct member of farming teams
Digitally proficient, prepared for paperless work environment
Understanding of public and private ag research landscape
A team player, flexible, consistent, and reliable, able to work with minimal supervision
Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally for justifying innovative change to various audiences (executives, farm management teams, farming personnel)
Knowledge and experience with horticultural crop farming, with preference on orchards or permanent crops under scientific studies
Understanding of commercial agricultural conditions and practices, with previous experience relating to conducting scientific studies with grower / farmer cooperators
Ability to have safety, productivity, and attention to detail as daily objectives
Assess changing workplace conditions and confidently make adjustments within the context of assigned tasks
Prior experience with budget estimates and cost tracking for field scientific studies
Valid California Driver’s License with reliable transportation to and from work.

Nice To Haves

Direct research experience with Wonderful Orchards crops is preferred but not required
Bilingual English/Spanish preferred
Holding or appropriate education / experience to obtain PCA and CCA certifications is recommended but not required.

Responsibilities

Establish and implement initiatives with supervision of Director of Research.
Coordinate and conduct applied agricultural field and laboratory experiments while supporting numerous sequential and overlapping activities.
Enhance the robustness of experimental activities through continuous vigilance for precision and accuracy of tasks, including trial design, data analysis, and reporting of results.
Engage in Wonderful’s corporate culture, participating in organizational and individual activities that deliver on principles of a growth mindset for success.
Oversee activities by skilled internal (interns, work crews) and external (academic or vendor) personnel, under field and/or lab sites.
Interact and collaborate with public (academic) and private (vendor) technical experts to explore existing and future farming improvements.
Creation of budgets as well as cost tracking for applied field and lab experiments.
Provide technical consultation to Farming Directors, Crop Managers, Pest Control Advisors, Spray Operations, Irrigation Managers, and field personnel.
Seek out and implement opportunities to improve workplace efficiency and safety.
Other duties as assigned.