Discovery Breeding Scientist

Bayer; Woodland (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Bayer's Pepper Discovery Breeding Scientist role seeks a scientific leader to create a genetic foundation for future pepper products. You will drive discovery breeding, germplasm enhancement, and deployment-ready genetic assets, partnering across Product Design and Development to translate discovery into products.

The candidate should excel in quantitative genetics, genomics, and cross-cultural collaboration; mentoring is expected to build organizational capability in discovery breeding.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in a relevant field required; strong breeding background.
• Experience in germplasm enhancement, pre-breeding, donor development, and diversity analysis.
• Proficiency in quantitative genetics, genomic prediction, and marker-assisted breeding.
• Experience analyzing large biological data sets; proficiency in R, Python, or comparable software.
• Demonstrated scientific leadership and ability to manage cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong collaboration and cross-cultural communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the global Pepper discovery breeding strategy to create novel genetic variation and future product concepts.
• Design and execute germplasm enhancement and pre-breeding programs using diverse germplasm sources.
• Manage germplasm diversity, defines targets, monitors bottlenecks, and preserves genetic potential.
• Create pool-specific trait donors with agronomic fitness and deployment guidance.
• Integrate trait discovery into breeding and data-driven handoffs of materials and knowledge.
• Generate ideotypes and product concepts with Product Design, Development, and Strategy teams.
• Apply quantitative genetics, genomics, phenomics, and predictive breeding to accelerate outcomes.
• Build external and internal partnerships to access germplasm and enabling tech.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and influence priorities without direct reporting authority.
• Mentor breeders and scientists to grow discovery breeding capability.
• Support Health, Safety, Environment, Compliance, and Human Rights requirements.

Skills

Master's degree

Germplasm enhancement

Pre-breeding

Genetic diversity management

Genomics

Quantitative genetics

Population improvement

Experimental design

Genomic prediction

Marker-assisted breeding

Diversity analysis

R

Python

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Quantitative Genetics, Genomics, Plant Biology, Computational Biology, or related

Postdoctoral experience

8+ years with Ph.D. / 12+ years with Master’s

Tools

R

Python

Job description

Discovery Breeding Scientist

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Pepper Discovery Breeding Scientist is a key scientific leader responsible for creating the genetic foundation for future pepper products. The role introduces novel variation and product concepts, manages germplasm diversity, and creates pool‑specific trait donors. The scientist leads discovery breeding and germplasm enhancement strategies that deliver characterized, deployment‑ready genetic assets to Product Design and Product Development.

The primary responsibilities of this role, Discovery Breeding Scientist, are to:

• Own the global Pepper discovery breeding strategy to create novel genetic variation and future product concepts across relevant germplasm pools;
• Design and execute germplasm enhancement and pre‑breeding programs using elite, exotic, landrace, wild, and underutilized sources;
• Manage germplasm diversity, defines diversity targets, monitors genetic bottlenecks, and protects long‑term genetic optionality;
• Create, characterize, and validate pool‑specific trait donors with sufficient agronomic fitness and clear deployment recommendations;
• Integrate trait discovery into breeding and Trait Integration pipelines and established disciplined handoffs of donor materials, data, and knowledge;
• Generate emerging ideotypes and product concepts in partnership with Product Design, Product Development, Market Development, and Crop Strategy;
• Apply quantitative genetics, genomics, phenomics, predictive breeding, bioinformatics, and functional genomics to accelerate discovery outcomes;
• Build external and internal partnerships to access germplasm, scientific capabilities, and enabling technologies;
• Lead complex cross‑functional and cross‑regional discovery initiatives; influences priorities without direct reporting authority;
• Mentor breeders and scientists and builds organizational capability in discovery breeding, pre‑breeding, and germplasm innovation;
• Supports Health, Safety & Environment, Compliance, Business Conduct, Human Rights, and germplasm stewardship requirements.

WHO YOU ARE

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree;
• Demonstrated success in germplasm enhancement, pre‑breeding, donor development, genetic diversity management, and translation of discovery into breeding assets;
• Deep expertise in quantitative genetics, population improvement, experimental design, genomic prediction, marker‑assisted breeding, and diversity analysis;
• Experience analyzing large biological data sets; proficiency in R, Python, or comparable analytical software;
• Demonstrated scientific leadership and ability to manage complex, multi‑year, cross‑functional initiatives;
• Strong collaboration, stakeholder influence, communication, and decision‑making skills across cultures and regions;
• Demonstrated ability to mentor scientists, shape technical strategy, and foster an innovative, design‑centered culture.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Quantitative Genetics, Genomics, Plant Biology, Computational Biology, or a related discipline;
• Postdoctoral experience;
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience with a Ph.D. or 12+ years with a Master’s degree.

This posting will be available for application until at least 10/22/26;

Employees can expect to be paid a salary between $123,920.00 to $185,880.00. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant); Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc. This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.

YOUR APPLICATION

Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs. If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and want to impact our mission Health for all, Hunger for none, Be part of something bigger. Be you. Be Bayer.

To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes.

Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s) using the contact information below.

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Bayer is an E-Verify Employer.

Location:

United States : California : Woodland

Division:

Crop Science

Reference Code:

891360

Contact Us

Email: [e-mail]