Corn Senior Crop Trait Development Lead

Vylor; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits for you and family

Paid time off and holidays

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Vylor, formed from Corteva’s seed genetics split, seeks a Corn Senior Crop Trait Development Lead to advance insect control traits through late discovery and prototype assembly in elite germplasm.

The role requires leading cross-functional teams, developing strategic plans, and delivering impactful presentations to leadership and customers globally.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field with at least 10 years of experience, or MS with 15+ years of experience.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional project teams with R&D and business stakeholders.
• Experience in commercial seed biotech trait development, especially insect control and related traits.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional project teams to de-risk and advance IC, HT, DR, and Yield trait components.
• Develop scientific plans aligned with functional leaders for late discovery projects.
• Present scientific and commercial updates to regulatory, scientific, leadership, and customer audiences.

Skills

PhD in Entomology

Cross-functional leadership

Insect control trait development

Publications or patents

Plant biotechnology knowledge

Education

PhD in Entomology

MS with 15+ years experience

Job description

Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture

At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on.

Corteva Agriscience is seeking an experienced Corn Senior Crop Trait Development Lead to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing insect control (IC) traits through late discovery pipeline stages. This role will also be responsible for leading the assembly and evaluation of trait components into prototypes (including IC, HT, DR, Yield components) through pre-commercial pipeline stages and will contribute to the overall strategy and success of our crop development initiatives.

Connect Trait Biology To Product Design, Performance, And Strategy

• Deliver on product strategy by balancing trait design configurations, optimal product performance, assembly cost, and timelines.
• Participate in and provide recommendations for research, product concepts, and business strategy to senior crop leadership.
• Develop and implement IP strategies that ensure freedom to operate (FTO) and maximize market opportunities for Corteva and licensee customers.

Project Leadership

• Lead cross functional project teams to direct the development stage technical evaluations and pre-commercial de-risking of product prototypes that bring together IC, HT, DR, and Yield trait components in elite germplasm.
• Lead cross-functional late discovery project teams to advance IC traits, including the development of scientific plans in alignment with functional leaders.
• Provide regular updates on project status, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders across R & D and Commercial / Business organizations.
• Develop and implement creative solutions to challenges that allow project advancements on aggressive timelines.

Communication And Documentation

• Prepare, contribute, and present both scientific and commercial‑focused presentations to diverse audiences, including regulatory, scientific, senior leadership audiences, and customers.
• Author and contribute to both scientific and commercial product‑focused publications in support of product development and launches.
• Implementation of plans:
• Provide meeting agendas with clearly defined deliverables and decision/recommendation points
• Lead joint resource demand planning, including seeds, herbicides, and methods.
• Design experiments and develop compelling data sets to support pipeline advancements and out-licensing of industry‑leading traits.
• Conduct crop and trait ratings in both controlled and field environments at global locations.
• Develop and participate in field plot tours.

What Skills You Need

• PhD in Entomology, Breeding, Agronomy, Weed/Crop Science, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience, or MS with 15 plus years of experience.
• Successful track record of aligning and leading cross functional project and/or program teams with the ability to inform and influence across R&D and business stakeholders.
• Industry or public sector experience in commercial seed biotech trait development specifically in Insect Control discovery and development with Herbicide Tolerance, Disease Management, and Agronomic traits familiarity desired.
• Proven track record of scientific publications and/or patents demonstrating a strong understanding of plant biotechnology and breeding with an emphasis in insect control desirable.
• Strong familiarity with the trait development process preceding the commercial development.
• Relevant experience interacting with farmer customers in a commercial context is ideal.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well‑being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
• Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/

Corteva announced to separate our current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, operating as Vylor, Inc. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc. and your employment would be governed by Vylor, Inc. employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by Vylor, Inc. at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.

Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.