Corn Breeding Research Intern

Beck's Hybrids; Goehner (NE); On-site; USD 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Furnished housing

Stipend

Job summary

Beck’s Hybrids in Nebraska invites a paid internship focused on corn breeding, inbred and hybrid development. You will work with the Breeding team in-field, learning major concepts and contributing to several facets of breeding, agronomy, and research from mid May to mid August.

Requirements include being a Sophomore or higher in Plant Science with a 3.0+ GPA and a willingness to work outdoors in varying conditions. Furnished housing or a stipend is provided to support this experience.

Qualifications

• Sophomore or higher in a college or university program, exceptional Freshman may be considered
• Only candidates studying Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Pathology, Agronomy or Plant Science will be considered
• Must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Farm background and general farm knowledge would be helpful but not required
• This is a safety sensitive position

Responsibilities

• Work with the Breeding team taking notes on inbreds and manage several inbred testing and observation plots
• Assist pollination of corn breeding nurseries
• Assist detasseling top cross plots
• Learn plant growth and development, monitor test plots, stand counts, and growth stages
• Study corn diseases and assess inbreds for susceptibility
• Prepare seed for test plots and nurseries and organize planting order
• Plant plots and collect agronomic data; travel with Beck’s staff to field locations
• Perform additional duties for the Breeding team as needed

Skills

Positive attitude

Self-starter

Team collaboration

Outdoor work

Education

Sophomore or higher in college

Plant Breeding or Genetics

GPA 3.0+

Farm background helpful

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

Duration

Paid Internship from May - August 2027.

Housing

Furnished housing or stipend provided.

What to expect

Valuable experience related to the agriculture industry, professional development, summer project, etc.

Purpose and Scope

Intern will be responsible for learning about and assisting Beck’s Breeding team in inbred and hybrid development. Interns will have the opportunity to take part in several facets of corn breeding, product development, inbred evaluation and research. The internship will start in mid May and last until mid August. The internship may be able to count toward college credit, depending on the candidate’s school curriculum.

THIS ROLE IS 100% FIELD BASED

Responsibilities

Corn Breeding Module

• Work with the Breeding team taking notes on inbreds. The intern will learn the major aspects of corn breeding, inbred observation, development and testing. The intern will be responsible for managing several inbred testing and observation plots. They will also assist in taking inbred and hybrid notes.
• Assist with pollination of Beck’s corn breeding nurseries
• Assist with detasseling Beck’s top cross plots

Corn Agronomy Module

• Plant Growth and Development
• Interns will learn how to monitor test plots for emergence issues, recording and evaluating stand counts, determine stage of growth for development, evaluating and recording overall plant growth.
• Plant Pathology
• Learn about the major diseases of corn and evaluate inbreds for their susceptibility
• Seed preparation
• Assist with preparing seed for this season’s test plots and nurseries. Interns will package seed and sort into planting order to help prepare for planting
• Plot Planting and Data Collection
• Assist in planting test plots and research nursery. Assist in collecting required notes and other agronomic data
• Travel with Beck’s staff to outlying locations to assist with planting test plots. The intern will learn how Beck’s manages its research and testing program
• Other Duties assigned by the members of the Breeding team or any other duties for the benefit of Beck’s Hybrids.

Job Requirements

Education And Training

• Sophomore or higher in a college or university program, exceptional Freshman may be considered
• Only candidates studying Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Pathology, Agronomy or Plant Science will be considered
• Must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Farm background and general farm knowledge would be helpful but not required
• This is a safety sensitive position

Technical Knowledge

• Possess a positive attitude
• Ability to establish priorities, possess a self-starter mentality, and work well independently and as a team member
• Ability to work outside and tolerate high temperatures, high humidity, rain, and muddy conditions
• Interns must provide own transportation to Beck facility near Goehner, NE
• Knowledge of data analysis tools would be preferred
• Availability of housing reimbursements
• Overtime required
• Overnight travel required
• In an effort to provide a safer, drug-free workplace for employees, all full-time applicants to whom offers of employment are made must submit to a drug test and background check, subject to applicable local, state, or federal laws or regulations. Employment at Beck’s is contingent upon passing these pre-employment screenings.