Director, Agricultural Research Center

Corteva Agriscience; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Development opportunities

Health benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Life at Corteva

Job summary

Corteva Agriscience is seeking a Research Center Leader to oversee a high-visibility agricultural research center in the Indianapolis area. You will shape strategy, lead diverse teams, and ensure outstanding research, safety, and operational excellence while connecting innovation to real-world impact.

During startup and growth, you will provide both site leadership and hands-on research, then broaden to organizational leadership and strategic integration, partnering with scientists, operations,

Qualifications

• PhD or MS in Agronomy, Weed Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Nematology, Crop Science, Plant Biology, Agricultural Engineering, or related field.
• Experience leading an agricultural research site or facility.
• Experience coaching, talent development, and performance management.
• Experience managing operational budgets, facilities, equipment, and resources.
• Strong knowledge of field research, experimental design, agronomic operations, data integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, execute, assess, interpret, and communicate field research trials.
• Excellent communication, presentation, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to work safely in an agricultural research environment.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Lead the vision, strategy, operations, and performance of a multi-crop, multi-functional agricultural research center.
• Build, coach, and develop a high performing team while fostering a culture of safety, inclusion, collaboration, and accountability.
• Partner with scientific, technical, operational, and business stakeholders to advance innovation and research excellence.
• Serve as the primary leader and integrator across site activities, helping align expectations, priorities, and resources.
• Create meaningful experiences for customers, industry partners, universities, community members, and visitors through field tours, demonstrations, events, and educational engagements.
• Oversee site resources including facilities, equipment, land, infrastructure, budgets, and long‑term capability planning.
• Champion world‑class safety, stewardship, compliance, quality, and operational excellence.
• Lead and execute a portfolio of field research trials during the site’s growth phase, including planning, implementation, assessment, data collection, interpretation, and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Field research

Research design

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Driver's license

US work authorization

Education

PhD or MS in Agronomy or related field

BS with extensive directly related experience

Job description

Corteva Agriscience is seeking a Research Center Leader to oversee a high-visibility agricultural research center in the Indianapolis area. You will shape strategy, lead diverse teams, and ensure outstanding research, safety, and operational excellence while connecting innovation to real-world impact.

During startup and growth, you will provide both site leadership and hands-on research, then broaden to organizational leadership and strategic integration, partnering with scientists, operations,