Research Associate (Nursery Multi-crop/Multifunctional)

Corteva - Johnston, IA

Full-time

Johnston, IA

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

At Corteva Agriscience, you will help us grow what's next. As a Research Associate (RA), you will be a key contributor to various activities at the Johnston, Iowa Research Center. This role involves supporting the Nursery functional team while also taking on overall multi-crop/multifunctional responsibilities. You will participate as a multi-crop/multifunction team member for all Seed Production and Development (SPD), Biotech, and other functional accountability. Your primary responsibilities will include breeding experiment creation, seed sourcing support, and sampling support for all crops and field trials. You will also assist with pollination activities and hand harvesting for seed production. Understanding and leading shelling for all team responsibilities will be crucial, as well as assisting with other nursery responsibilities such as delays, stand counts, maintenance, rouging, and discards. In this role, you will take on the responsibility of being a Tier 3 - Shipping/Verification lead, collaborating with team members to map out fields and detail experiments by deadlines. You will assist or lead other aspects of nursery or efficacy experiments throughout the growing season and communicate effectively with all team members and stakeholders to understand both nursery deadlines and other functional group deadlines. Additionally, you will work across Johnston team functions to support other activities at the site and assist with research center projects and seed production activities, including seed preparation for planting, winter nursery deadlines, and seed sampling. This position requires weekend work and overtime during peak periods, and you will also manage and direct the work of temporary and seasonal employees, contributing to a safe and respectful work environment. A willingness and ability to operate a forklift is also necessary.

Responsibilities

• Participate as a multi-crop/multifunction team member for all SPD, Biotech, and other functional accountability.
• Support breeding experiment creation and seed sourcing.
• Provide sampling support for all crops and field trials.
• Assist with pollinating activities.
• Help with hand harvesting for seed production activities.
• Lead shelling for all team responsibilities.
• Assist with nursery responsibilities including delays, stand counts, maintenance, rouging, and discards.
• Act as Tier 3 - Shipping/Verification lead.
• Collaborate with team members to map out fields and detail experiments by deadlines.
• Assist or lead other aspects of nursery or efficacy experiments throughout the growing season.
• Communicate effectively with team members/stakeholders regarding nursery and functional group deadlines.
• Support other activities at the site and assist with assigned research projects.
• Assist with research center projects and seed production activities, including seed preparation for planting and seed sampling.
• Manage and direct the work of temporary and seasonal employees.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment.
• Operate a forklift as needed.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree in agriculture or scientific field preferred.
• Experience in Agronomy, Biology, Plant Breeding, or a scientific-related field preferred.
• Competency with standard Microsoft Office programs and capacity to learn new technologies and software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong people skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to initiate projects, improvements, decisions, and problem solving.
• Detail-oriented with strong time management and organizational skills.
• Commitment to excellent safety and risk management practices.
• Ability to climb and/or work in elevated areas, stand and sit for extended periods, and work outdoors and indoors in various weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to fifty (50) lbs. and perform work that involves repetitive motion and lifting.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule including overtime and weekend work during seasonal peaks.

Benefits

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills.
• 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.
• Competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program.