Research Scientist - Professional & Emerging Market Innovation
About The Position
Sun Gro Horticulture is a prominent North American horticultural company with over 800 employees, serving customers globally. Established in 1929, it is the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to major greenhouse and nursery growers in North America. Sun Gro is committed to employee success, investing in their knowledge and fostering loyalty and teamwork. The Research Scientist - Professional & Emerging Markets Innovation role is responsible for leading research and product development for professional horticulture and controlled environment agriculture markets, focusing on innovative growing media and substrate technologies. This position involves cross-functional collaboration with various teams to develop scalable, performance-driven solutions and support grower trials and technical evaluations.
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.
- Experience in growing media, substrate science, greenhouse production, or controlled environment agriculture systems.
- Experience conducting laboratory, greenhouse, and field research trials.
- Familiarity with professional horticulture, ornamental, food, or cannabis production systems.
- Experience with technical product development and commercialization support.
- 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 University 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
