Sr Product Development Scientist-Corn

Bayer Zydus Pharma; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Bayer Zydus Pharma in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, seeks a Senior Product Development Scientist-Corn to lead advanced breeding programs and turn concepts into a robust portfolio. You will blend field genetics with AI-enabled analytics to drive evidence-based decisions that accelerate product advancement.

The role requires strong quantitative genetics, experience in genomic selection, and cross-functional collaboration across Design, Field Testing, Data Science and Regulatory teams to deliver

Qualifications

• PhD with 4–5 years of commercial experience or MSc with 6 years in breeding.
• Preference for corn commercial experience in the industry.
• Evidence-based advancement decisions across multiple environments or seasons.
• Experience with genomic selection, predictive analytics, digital phenotyping, or AI-enabled decision support.

Responsibilities

• Lead a structured commercial breeding program delivering differentiated products.
• Own product advancement, hold, recycle and stop decisions with an evidence base.
• Define breeding schemes, testing strategy, selection criteria and roadmaps.
• Design multi-environment experiments; apply mixed models, GxE interpretation.
• Interrogate genomic prediction outputs and compare with field evidence.
• Integrate genomic, phenomics, environmental, agronomic and market data.
• Use AI analytics to improve selection and trial learning with data stewardship.
• Translate needs into innovation targets linked to launch sequence.
• Build partnerships across functions and global breeding communities.
• Coach and develop capability in others.

Skills

Quantitative genetics

Data analysis

Cross-functional leadership

Communication

English proficiency

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics

MSc in Plant Breeding and Genetics

Tools

R

Python

ASReml

SAS

Job description

Job Summary

Senior Product Development Scientist-Corn.

Position purpose: Lead product development today while building the breeding system of tomorrow. The role is accountable for turning product concepts, field evidence, genomic and phenomic insights, market signals and AI-enabled analytics into high-quality advancement decisions and a robust, launch-ready portfolio. The scientist combines strong field craft and quantitative genetics with the judgement to integrate specialist input, lead across functions and convert science into farmer and business value.

Responsibilities

• Lead a structured commercial breeding program that delivers differentiated products aligned with product concepts, target environments, and grower needs.
• Own product advancement, hold, recycle and stop decisions using an explicit evidence base across phenotype, genotype, environment, market value, risk and portfolio fit.
• Define and continuously improve breeding schemes, testing strategy, selection criteria, stage plans and end-to-end roadmaps to increase realized genetic gain and decision speed.
• Design rigorous multi-environment experiments; apply mixed-model thinking, BLUPs, variance components, heritability, selection indices and GxE interpretation to separate signal from noise.
• Interrogate genomic prediction outputs, including prediction accuracy, training population relevance, GEBVs and uncertainty; compare model and field evidence and challenge recommendations when biology or data quality warrants it.
• Integrate genomic, phenomics, environmental, agronomic and market data into product and portfolio decisions, working fluently with quantitative geneticists, data scientists and Dezine scientist.
• Use AI-supported analytics and decision tools to improve selection, trial learning and scenario evaluation while maintaining human accountability, traceability, data stewardship and scientific judgement.
• Translate farmer, customer and value-chain needs into innovation targets; connect advancement decisions to launch sequence, product positioning, commercial potential and stewardship requirements.
• Build strong partnerships across Product Design, Field Testing, Seed Operations, Data Science, Regulatory, Market Development, Commercial, Patent Science and global breeding communities.
• Create capability in others through coaching, mentoring, constructive challenge and knowledge sharing.

Who You Are

• PhD (plant breeding and Genetics or closely related discipline) with minimum 4-5 years of commercial experience; or MSc (plant breeding and Genetics or closely related discipline) with 6 years of relevant commercial breeding experience.
• Preference will be given for Corn commercial experience in the industry.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex breeding or product development programs and evidence-based advancement decisions across multiple environments or seasons.
• Working proficiency in quantitative genetics and statistical analysis. Experience with R, Python, ASReml, SAS or comparable tools is desirable; the role is not expected to be a full-time programmer.
• Experience using genomic selection, predictive analytics, digital phenotyping, or AI-enabled decision support is strongly preferred.
• High agility to respond to changing environments and adapt to new situations and work in a team.
• Proven cross-functional leadership, stakeholder influence and communication of complex science to technical and business audiences.
• Fluent professional English; additional Asian market and regional crop or market experience are advantageous.
• Demonstration of application of VACC behavior and proved competencies to work in DSO environment.

Dynamic Shared Ownership

Ever feel burned out by bureaucracyUs too. That's why we're changing the way we work-for higher productivity, faster innovation, and better results. We call it Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO). Learn more about what DSO will mean for you in your new role here.

Location

Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Division

Crop Science