Tidal Grow Agriscience Senior Director of Research & Development

Tidal Vision•Bellingham, WA

35d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director of Research & Development leads Tidal Grow AgriScience’s scientific and technical development, primarily focused on chitosan-enabled agricultural technologies. The role combines hands-on scientific work with R&D management, including an active laboratory presence and responsibility for building and leading a high-performing R&D organization. Approximately 25–30% of the role is hands-on work designing experiments, reviewing data, and solving formulation problems at the bench. The Senior Director leads a team of scientists and technicians, manages the R&D budget, and serves as TGA’s technical authority in chitosan polymer science. The position provides scientific leadership and oversight throughout the product lifecycle, partnering with Product Management, Regulatory, Operations, Commercial, and Technical Services from concept evaluation and development through commercialization, scale-up, and ongoing product improvement. The role is based on-site in Bellingham, Washington. Some travel may be required for research trials, conferences, or partner engagement. The incumbent is subject to a criminal background check. The position involves frequent standing, talking, hearing, smelling, visually inspecting materials, and walking; sometimes lifting or moving up to 30 pounds; and regular use of hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls and to reach with hands and arms. The position may involve working around crop protection products.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Agricultural Chemistry, Materials Science, Plant Science, Plant Physiology, or a related field.
At least 15 years of progressive R&D experience in agricultural chemistry, fertilizers, crop nutrition, crop protection, biostimulants, or related agricultural input industries.
Demonstrated success developing agricultural products from early-stage research through formulation optimization, scale-up, commercialization support, and post-launch improvement.
Deep understanding of formulation science, polymer chemistry, analytical methods, stability testing, and agricultural product development.
Strong familiarity with commercial agricultural practices, including storage and handling requirements, tank-mix compatibility, application technologies, water quality variability, product stewardship, and distribution considerations.
Proven experience leading scientific teams while remaining actively involved in technical execution and laboratory-based innovation.
Excellent communication skills and ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical business recommendations.
Hands-on formulation experience with commercial agricultural products, including tank-mix compatibility testing.
Working knowledge of how growers use products, including common spray programs, mixing order, water hardness and pH, application equipment, and storage and handling.
Ability to explain technical tradeoffs in terms of cost, timeline, and risk to non-technical partners.

Nice To Haves

Recognized expertise in chitosan polymer science, supported by meaningful technical achievements, patents, publications, commercial products, or equivalent industry contributions.
Experience developing chitosan, biopolymer, biological, crop nutrition, or other agricultural input technologies from concept through commercial deployment.
Strong data analytics mindset, with experience applying statistical tools, experimental design, predictive modeling, and quantitative decision-making to product development.
Demonstrated success in entrepreneurial environments where adaptability, resourcefulness, cross-functional collaboration, and hands-on technical leadership are important.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop TGA’s R&D organization, scientific strategy, project portfolio, and technical development activities.
Serve as the business unit’s principal technical expert in chitosan and chitin-derived polymers, including polymer modification, formulation, delivery systems, and agricultural applications.
Maintain an active hands-on role in laboratory research, formulation development, experimental design, data interpretation, troubleshooting, and technical problem solving.
Provide technical oversight throughout the product lifecycle, supporting Product Management from concept evaluation through product launch, commercialization, and next-generation improvements.
Establish and maintain standards for scientific rigor, experimental design, data integrity, statistical analysis, documentation, and reproducibility.
Lead development and validation of commercially viable products, addressing efficacy, manufacturability, stability, shelf life, freeze-thaw resilience, raw material variability, and quality control.
Apply knowledge of commercial agricultural practices, including fertilizer systems, crop protection products, tank-mix compatibility, water quality effects, application equipment, storage conditions, transportation requirements, and grower use patterns.
Partner with Operations to transfer technology from laboratory to pilot and commercial manufacturing.
Collaborate with Product Management, Regulatory, Operations, Commercial, and Technical Services to align scientific efforts with business objectives and market needs.
Mentor, recruit, and develop scientists and technical staff, fostering innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Support intellectual property generation, scientific publications, external research collaborations, and technical due diligence activities.
Manage the R&D budget.