Pepper Discovery Breeding Scientist: Shape Future Germplasm

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

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.