Chief Scientific Officer, BioAg

Dedicated HR Services; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential client in India seeks a visionary Chief Scientific Officer to lead its BioAg group. The role owns strategy, execution and commercialization of biofertilizers, biostimulants, biocontrol and biofungicide products from discovery to market globally.

You will head a world-class R&D team, drive cross-functional collaboration, ensure regulatory compliance and build strategic partnerships with academia, industry and regulators to accelerate product pipelines.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in plant biology, crop science, agricultural biotechnology, agri-input science or related field.
• 15+ years of experience, including 12+ years postdoctoral, in agri-biotech or biotech companies working on agri-input formulations.
• Experience across biofertilizers, biostimulants, biocontrol, biopesticide and biofungicide products with hands-on commercialization.
• Experience developing novel bio-based formulations for crop improvement and crop protection.
• Strong grasp of plant molecular biology techniques.
• Proven leadership of high-performing teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and a drive to work in the impact space.

Responsibilities

• Set and deliver a strategic vision for the BioAg group.
• Drive discovery, development and commercialization of novel products for global markets.
• Own the technical excellence teams that take the pipeline from early development to launch.
• Oversee design, execution and analysis of BioAg studies with high scientific rigour and regulatory compliance.
• Manage research projects, timelines and budgets, and hit milestones on time.
• Develop production methods for actives and their formulations.
• Lead soil microbiome engineering and file patents/publications.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

R&D Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Regulatory Compliance

IP Experience

Public Speaking

Team Development

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Biology

Job description

Confidential client: a well-funded bioscience company working across agriculture, human health and sustainable materials, with a large in-house R&D organisation and operations in many countries.

Position snapshot

• Title: Chief Scientific Officer / Principal Scientist, BioAg
• Location: Gurugram, Haryana
• Role level: member of the R&D leadership team, heading the biological agri-inputs group
• Scope: end-to-end product pipeline for soil health, plant nutrition and crop protection, from discovery to commercialization in global markets

The role

The company is looking for a visionary scientific leader to head its biological agri-inputs team. You will drive the strategy, execution and commercialization of a next-generation portfolio of biofertilizers, biostimulants, biocontrol, biopesticide and biofungicide products, and own the pipeline from early development to market.

Key responsibilities

1. Leadership and strategic planning

• Set and deliver a strategic vision for the BioAg group, aligned with business strategy and customer needs.
• Drive discovery, development and commercialization of novel products for global markets.
• Own the technical excellence teams that take the pipeline from early development to launch.

2. Research and development management

• Oversee design, execution and analysis of BioAg studies with high scientific rigour and regulatory compliance.
• Manage research projects, timelines and budgets, and hit milestones on time.
• Develop novel formulations for crop improvement and crop protection.
• Design and develop bio agri-inputs: biofertilizers, PGPR, biocontrol agents, biostimulants and more.
• Identify novel actives (peptides, metabolites, botanicals, plant extracts, hormones) and their uses in agriculture.
• Develop production methods for actives and their formulations.
• Lead soil microbiome engineering.
• File patents and review research publications.

3. Cross-functional collaboration

• Work closely with other functions for smooth product development and commercialization.
• Guide product development strategy and spot opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Partner with academic institutions, research organisations and regulators to accelerate development.

4. Regulatory compliance and intellectual property

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Build processes to protect IP, including preparing and filing patent applications.

5. Global representation and technical collaboration

• Speak at conferences, seminars and technical forums on behalf of the company.
• Build strategic collaborations with leading research institutions and industry partners.
• Act as a global ambassador with key opinion leaders, industry experts and regulators.

6. Team development and talent management

• Recruit, train and mentor a high-performing team of BioAg scientists and researchers.
• Run performance reviews and build retention and succession plans.
• Promote a culture of scientific excellence, innovation and continuous learning.

What you bring

• Ph.D. in plant biology, crop science, agricultural biotechnology, agri-input science or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience, including 12+ years postdoctoral, in agri-biotech or biotechnology companies working on agri-input formulations.
• Wide exposure to R&D of biocontrol, biopesticide, biofertilizer and biofungicide products, with hands‑on commercialization experience.
• Experience developing novel bio‑based formulations for crop improvement and crop protection, working with multiple actives.
• A strong grasp of fundamental plant molecular biology techniques.
• A record of leading highly skilled teams in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, and a genuine drive to work in the impact space.

All applications are handled in confidence by a Dedicated HR Services partner. The client is named to shortlisted candidates only.