Research Scientist - Growing Media - Raw Material Innovation
About The Position
The Research Scientist – Professional & Emerging Markets Innovation leads research and product development initiatives supporting professional horticulture and controlled environment agriculture markets, including ornamental, food, and cannabis production systems. This role focuses on development, validation, and commercialization support of innovative growing media and engineered substrate technologies for professional growers. The position collaborates cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Grower Specialists, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and R&D teams to develop scalable, performance-driven growing media solutions while supporting grower trials, technical evaluations, and university collaborations.
Requirements
- Knowledge of growing media components, substrate performance, and horticultural production systems.
- Ability to design, conduct, and analyze scientific research trials using sound experimental and statistical methods.
- Ability to develop innovative growing media solutions and solve technical challenges.
- Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and project management skills.
- Ability to work effectively with internal teams, growers, university researchers, and industry partners.
- Willingness to learn new technologies and support emerging market opportunities.
Nice To Haves
- M.S. or Ph.D. in Horticulture, Soil Science, Plant Science, Controlled Environment Agriculture, or related field preferred.
- Experience in growing media, substrate science, greenhouse production, or controlled environment agriculture systems preferred.
- Experience conducting laboratory, greenhouse, and field research trials.
- Familiarity with professional horticulture, ornamental, food, or cannabis production systems preferred.
- Experience with technical product development and commercialization support preferred.
- Strong technical problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Responsibilities
- Lead development and evaluation of professional growing media products and engineered substrate technologies.
- Lead university collaborative research for Sun Gro laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to support product performance, formulation optimization, and commercialization.
- Develop technical solutions and evaluate substrate materials for professional horticulture and controlled environment agriculture markets.
- Provide technical support to Marketing, Sales, Grower Specialists, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and R&D teams.
- Support development of product specifications, technical claims, and performance positioning.
- Translate technical findings into commercially relevant recommendations and support grower-focused technical initiatives.
- Support grower trial programs, Sun Gro webinar program development, and university and industry collaborations.
- Monitor emerging technologies, raw materials, and market trends related to growing media and controlled environment agriculture.
- Support development of next-generation growing media technologies aligned with company innovation and sustainability strategies.
- Ensure products, materials, and technologies are reviewed with company safety, quality, and regulatory teams prior to commercialization.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
