Research Investigator

Corteva Agriscience; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits from day one

4 weeks PTO and 2 weeks well-being pay

Parental leave - 16 weeks

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement savings plan

Industry collaborations

Job summary

Corteva Agriscience is seeking a scientist or engineer to join the PS&T group in Indianapolis, Indiana, focusing on developing formulated crop protection products. You’ll work across formulation, analytical, greenhouse biology, and field R&D teams to ensure products meet customer needs in storage, handling, and application.

You will design lab experiments to simulate real-world use, assess risks, and develop mitigation plans while collaborating with internal teams and external partners to stay

Qualifications

• PhD in Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Weed Science, Entomology, Plant Pathology, or related field with 0–3 years of experience.
• Experience with agricultural application equipment and designing prototype equipment.
• Excellent written and oral communication; ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Partner with formulation, analytical, greenhouse biology, and field R&D to develop new formulated products meeting storage, handling, and application needs.
• Apply knowledge of agricultural, physical, and chemical sciences to solve product delivery and storage challenges.
• Designs and runs lab experiments to simulate real-world application and mitigate risks.
• Develops methods to assess product efficacy and crop safety.
• Provide in-season customer support and educational programs for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with marketing, field biology, and external partners to align with industry trends.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Experiment design

Lab testing

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

PhD in Agricultural Engineering

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

The Corteva Agriscience Product Science and Technology group (PS&T) has an immediate opening for a scientist or engineer with a passion for agriculture and developing products to meet the needs of growers, worldwide. The successful candidate will join the Application Technology R&D group located at the Crop Protection R&D center and global headquarters in Indianapolis, In. This position supports the development and launch of new formulated products by understanding how key application parameters impact the total end-user experience for crop protection products. Responsibilities of this role include understanding how products will be used and applied in key markets, understanding the key physical properties of products that will influence the efficacy, application, storage, and handling properties of the product, obtaining working knowledge of different types of application equipment, and developing laboratory-based testing to ensure products will meet or exceed market expectations. The successful applicant will have excellent written and oral communication, ability to manage multiple projects, and knowledge of agricultural practices. This position requires a multidisciplinary approach and a person who can take a leading role in both conceptual design and experimental validation of new technologies within a collaborative cross-functional team of project managers, marketing specialists, regulatory scientists, field development reps, supply chain managers, biologists, formulation chemists, and engineers.

What You’ll Do

• Partners with formulation, analytical, greenhouse biologists, and field R&D scientists in developing new formulated products to ensure products meet or exceeds the customer’s storage, handling, and application needs and expectations.
• Utilizes background in agricultural, physical, and chemical sciences to solve problems concerned with product delivery, application, storage, and processing of agricultural products.
• Designs and executes experiments in the lab to mimic real-world application scenarios to assess risks in product application, handling, and storage and develops mitigation plans to address any issues.
• Develops new methodologies and capabilities to assess how formulated products may impact efficacy and crop safety.
• Provides urgent in-season customer support and conducts educational programs to aid business leaders, sales & marketing reps, farmers and related farm cooperatives.
• Partners with marketing, field biology, and external partners such as equipment manufacturers, and industry/academic consultants to understand current industry trends and develop strategy to adapt to regional agricultural practices in application technology and product delivery and storage.
• The successful applicant will network with domestic and international standards organizations such as ASABE, ISO, CEN, and ASTM to promote and influence the agricultural industry design standards and trends targeted at creating leadership positions and driving strategy.
• The position may require 20% domestic and international travel.

What Skills You Need

• PhD in Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Weed Science, Entomology, Plant Pathology, or a related field with 0-3 years of work experience.
• Experience with agricultural application equipment, designing & prototyping purpose-built equipment, and troubleshooting lab to pilot scale processing issues.
• Good working knowledge of agricultural operations, agricultural products, and delivery systems.
• Track record of new product/technology development and using a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving and opportunity development.
• Strong result-oriented mentality, able to work independently.
• Excellent project management, planning, prioritization, and leadership skills.
• Experience working in or leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.
• A proven record of original research contributions, including development of intellectual property and experience in publishing and presenting technical papers in scientific journals and at professional symposia is important.

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 Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life

Are you a good match?

Corteva Agriscience 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.