YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this role, Plant-Pathogen Interaction Scientist II, are to: 

• Conducts research and contributes to projects, technologies, intellectual property, or trade secrets that results in the control of agriculturally important plant diseases with biotechnology solutions.  Focus will be to identify, develop, and implement testing capabilities to measure the efficacy and/or elucidate the molecular mode of action of plant biotechnology solutions to plant diseases.
• Development and implementation of molecular assays to compliment/validate results from phenotypic controlled environment assays.
• Designs, conducts and interprets complex experiments. Develops and implements research and/or technology-driven proposals. Primary author for scientific reports. Effectively communicates research findings;
• May assume project leadership and/or supervisory functions;
• Accountable for cross-functional work in multiple platforms/process areas across plant biotechnology and external partnerships.
• Solves complex problems requiring original thinking and deductive reasoning and the application of scientific principles to the design and interpretation of scientific experiments focused on plant-pathogen interactions. Uses specialized knowledge, of pathology, biochemistry, genomics, host-pathogen interactions, and molecular biology to advance projects, experiments and/or process improvements;
• Adheres to established protocols and techniques. May operate and troubleshoot instrumentation. Solves problems independently using multiple data sources. Develops new protocols and techniques as necessary;
• Prioritizes and coordinates work within a large team and provides training to contingent workforce; maintaining detailed record keeping and required documentation;
• Achieves commitment to safety and adherence to safety protocols and best practices;
• Analyzes and interprets the results of a variety of molecular biology and biochemistry experiments independently.  Primary author for scientific reports. Effectively communicates findings of experiments to partners and key stakeholders;
• Demonstrates a sustained high level of technical skill and achievement. Must keep abreast of emerging science and technological developments within scope of the role and implement them to continuously improve functional area capabilities within the group.
• Exploits new developments from the scientific literature to aid in problem solving.
• Maintains and prepares cultures of numerous plant pathogens for testing.  Grows and maintains plants in greenhouse or growth chambers for experimental testing.

Domestic Relocation Assistance is Available

• WHO YOU ARE

Your success will be driven by your demonstration of our LIFE values.  More specifically related to this position, Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Plant Pathology, Plant Biology, Plant Science, or closely related discipline with three years relevant experience;
• Strong plant pathology and molecular biology acumen with practical knowledge of plant-pathogen interactions;
• Ability to independently design experiments, implement testing strategies, and analyze and interpret results;
• Documented experience performing inoculations of plants with pathogens in greenhouse or other controlled-environments;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment leading to constructive interactions. Ability to interact with, and influence individuals from, various technical backgrounds to facilitate a desired outcome;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Practical experience with agricultural crop species and diseases;
• Knowledge of pathogenicity factors and/or mechanisms of host resistance.