Job details

Field Plant Pathologist

About Us

At InnerPlant (www.innerplant.com) we are reimagining the role of crops in our farming system and developing crops that can tell us what they need by turning plants into Living Sensors. Our Smart Seeds signal early and specific stressors in a scalable and affordable way to reduce chemical and fertilizer use while increasing yields, delivering more with less.

We’re backed by industry giant John Deere and other veteran venture capitalists and are poised to improve agriculture. InnerPlant is a place for people that believe they can make a difference and want to improve how decisions are made on the farm. If you share these traits and want to make a real difference - this is the opportunity for you.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Field Plant Pathologist to play a key leadership role in the development and scale up of our system. The initial focus will be on refining our soybean fungal sensors in cooperation with academic and contract researchers, followed by expansion of the platform to other top priority crops. The right candidate thrives in a dynamic start-up atmosphere and takes initiative to move projects forward. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are also essential as this role is part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team. The selected candidate will work remotely, however a central Midwest location such as Iowa or Illinois will be most convenient for in person visits to field research locations and in person interactions with industry stakeholders. The selected candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Key responsibilities

Utilize plant pathology expertise to design and execute experiments and technology demonstrations for the major soybean pathogens across the Midwestern US
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with plant pathology academics, contract research organizations, retailer organizations and industry stakeholders
Serve as plant pathology subject matter expert and thought leader for both internal and external discussions
Compose and deliver presentations and publications that clearly communicate complex results to both internal and external audiences
Collaborate closely with the sales team to support ag retailers and growers by delivering agronomic insights, ensuring seamless product adoption, and driving customer success
Work closely with internal R&D teams to provide input for new product and system concepts
Oversee field detection and remote sensing processes including UAV flights to ensure accuracy and reliability of data collected from our plots.
Troubleshooting and basic maintenance of remote-sensing equipment.
Analyze experimental data and generate reports to inform decision making and to drive continuous improvement
Provide data and images from our plots to support the development of marketing materials
Effectively steward a financial budget and all contracts related to the field research program
Keep current with scientific and industrial advances relevant to plant pathology
Ensure all operations comply with all regulations and safety standards
Support third party business development partnerships
Travel up to 50% of the time during the field season

M.S. in plant pathology or closely related field (Ph.D. preferred)
Extensive knowledge and experience with soybean plant-pathogen interactions and symptomologies
Strong working knowledge of agronomic practices for corn and soybean production including a deep understanding of fungicide modes of action
Minimum of 5 years experience in agricultural research including designing and executing field trials
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong organizational skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast paced environment
Ability to travel as needed to support business needs
Willingness to work long hours during peak periods

Bonus experience:

Experience working with agricultural retail and internal salespeople
Laboratory and pathology diagnostic experience
Industry experience including managing and leading people

Benefits

The US base salary range for this position is $85,000 - $140,000 + benefits. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

InnerPlant provides an amazing opportunity to work on some of the hardest problems facing humanity and help design the agricultural systems of the future. In addition to working with a fun team, we offer competitive compensation, insurance benefits, and flexible time-off.

InnerPlant provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Average salary estimate

$112500 / YEARLY (est.)

min

max

$85000K

$140000K

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What You Should Know About Field Plant Pathologist, InnerPlant

At InnerPlant, we're revolutionizing agriculture by transforming crops into Living Sensors that communicate their needs through our innovative Smart Seeds. We believe that farming can be smarter, not harder, and we’re on the lookout for a passionate Field Plant Pathologist to join our mission. In this dynamic role, you'll work closely with leading researchers and stakeholders to refine our soybean fungal sensors and eventually expand our technology to other key crops. Your expertise in plant pathology will be invaluable as you design experiments, deliver compelling presentations, and collaborate with our sales team to support growers and ag retailers. If you’re excited about using data to enhance crop yields while reducing chemical inputs, then this position might just be your perfect fit! You’ll need a deep knowledge of soybean plant-pathogen interactions, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to travel during the field season. At InnerPlant, you’ll find a culture of innovation supported by industry veterans like John Deere. With a salary range of $85,000 to $140,000, fantastic benefits, and the chance to work on critical agricultural challenges, we invite you to help shape the future of farming with us!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Field Plant Pathologist Role at InnerPlant

What are the main responsibilities of a Field Plant Pathologist at InnerPlant?

As a Field Plant Pathologist at InnerPlant, you'll be responsible for utilizing your expertise to design and execute experiments focusing on soybean pathogens. Additionally, you will maintain relationships with academics and industry stakeholders, and work closely with the sales team to drive customer success. Your role will include overseeing field detection processes, analyzing experimental data, and producing reports to inform decisions, making you an essential part of our mission to improve agricultural practices.