Trait Discovery Manager

Advanta Seeds; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Advanta Seeds, a global seed business within UPL Group, seeks a Trait Discovery Manager to lead identification and development of innovative traits and marker-trait associations to support plant breeding programs. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in plant genomics and genome editing with strong project leadership and collaboration with internal teams and external partners.

You will design discovery projects, advance molecular breeding pipelines, and promote rigorous experimental

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Plant Genetics, Plant Genomics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9 or TALENs, and hands-on experience with complementary molecular biology techniques.
• Strong understanding of plant genomics, marker-trait association discovery, and molecular breeding applications.
• Experience planning and managing complex scientific projects, including priorities, timelines, risks, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across scientific and business functions.
• Proactive, self-directed working style with strong accountability, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate trait discovery projects that deliver innovative solutions for plant breeding programs.
• Design and execute studies to identify, validate, and develop marker-trait associations.
• Guide the integration of trait discovery outputs into molecular breeding pipelines in partnership with breeding and research teams.
• Build and manage effective collaborations with internal functions, external research organizations, and other strategic partners.
• Establish project plans, priorities, milestones, and resource requirements; monitor progress, quality, risks, and delivery.
• Communicate scientific findings, project recommendations, and business implications to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Promote rigorous experimental practices, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across discovery activities.

Skills

Genome editing

Molecular biology

Plant genomics

Project leadership

Communication

People management

Education

Ph.D. in Molecular Biology / Plant Genetics / Plant Genomics

Tools

CRISPR/Cas9

TALENs

Job description

Advanta is a global seed business adapting to rapidly increasing food insecurity and climate change by providing farmers with innovation and new technologies. As part of UPL Group, Advanta aims to deliver high quality seeds with excellent agronomic practices and crop protection solutions. Advanta operates in over 80 countries under global brands of Advanta, Alta and Pacific Seeds. Advanta holds a leadership position in tropical and sub-tropical geographies in corn, grain and forage sorghum, sunflower, canola, rice, and a variety of vegetables. With over 60 years' experience in plant genetics, Advanta provides seeds technology that ensures crop performance and farmers prosperity.

Position Summary

The Trait Discovery Manager leads the identification and development of innovative traits and marker-trait associations that support plant breeding programs. This role directs discovery projects, advances molecular breeding pipelines, and builds productive collaborations across internal teams and external partners. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in plant genomics and genome editing with strong project leadership, communication, and people-management capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate trait discovery projects that deliver innovative solutions for plant breeding programs.
• Design and execute studies to identify, validate, and develop marker-trait associations.
• Guide the integration of trait discovery outputs into molecular breeding pipelines in partnership with breeding and research teams.
• Build and manage effective collaborations with internal functions, external research organizations, and other strategic partners.
• Establish project plans, priorities, milestones, and resource requirements; monitor progress, quality, risks, and delivery.
• Communicate scientific findings, project recommendations, and business implications to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Promote rigorous experimental practices, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across discovery activities.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Plant Genetics, Plant Genomics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9 or TALENs, and hands-on experience with complementary molecular biology techniques.
• Strong understanding of plant genomics, marker-trait association discovery, and molecular breeding applications.
• Experience planning and managing complex scientific projects, including priorities, timelines, risks, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across scientific and business functions.
• Proactive, self-directed working style with strong accountability, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience leading teams, mentoring scientists, or coordinating multidisciplinary contributors.
• Experience collaborating with external research institutions, technology providers, or commercial partners.

Core Competencies

• Adaptability & Resilience: Responds effectively to changing priorities and fosters an inclusive environment that values individual and cultural differences.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Thinks creatively and holistically, evaluates calculated risks, and acts on opportunities.
• Results Orientation: Sets clear goals, sustains momentum, and inspires others to achieve meaningful outcomes.
• Execution Excellence: Improves speed, efficiency, and quality across processes, systems, and teams.
• Strategic Orientation: Assesses business and external factors, identifies critical issues, and develops evidence-based strategies.
• Building Teams and Talent: Builds trust, shares knowledge, delegates effectively, develops colleagues, and recognizes contributions.
• Customer Centricity: Understands customer needs and creates solutions that deliver measurable value.

Why This Role Matters

This position connects scientific discovery with practical breeding outcomes. The Trait Discovery Manager will help shape a high-impact research portfolio, accelerate the translation of genomic insights into breeding value, and strengthen collaboration across the organization and its external network.

We are one team, for maximum impact. One team with shared goals. We all play for the team and no one plays against the team. We have a laser-like focus on what our customers need and want, on anticipating their future needs and on how we can create innovative solutions and experiences for them. #AdvantaJobs