Field Research Scientist - North America

Field Research Scientist

Join a passionate, innovative team driving the future of sustainable agriculture! We’re looking for a skilled soil scientist with hands-on experience in crop input field testing (5+ years) and a strong academic foundation—BS or MS in Soil Science preferred. In this role, you’ll apply cutting-edge crop production and research techniques to help shape breakthrough products that improve plant health and enrich the planet.

Job Description:

• Under the direction of the Field Research Lead, the successful candidate will execute a North American-based field research program through a combination of Contract Research Organizations, academic testing agreements, and hands-on field trials. This program focuses on plant nutrition enhancement, fertilizer efficiency, and supports other platforms such as plant pathology and crop stress mitigation for agronomic crops (small grains, legumes, cotton, and oil crops).
• Supports internal teams and external partners to fulfill testing objectives in an efficient and timely manner including in-season data collection, plot assessments, UAV flights and data analysis, trial summary analysis, and reporting.
• Supports the development of field trial protocols and standard operating procedures globally.
• Manage trial logistics including seed treatment, fertilizer impregnation, treatment preparation, and equipment organization and maintenance.
• Generate and present actionable field trial data summaries that inform product development and strategic decisions.
• Ability to write scientific assessments of field data in support of state and federal product registration needs.
• Learn, utilize, maintain proficiency, and support internal software platforms such as MS-Excel, ARM, drone flight and data tools, and others for the analysis, organization, reporting and cataloging of field data.
• Additional responsibilities may be added at the discretion of management.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science (strongly preferred) or a related field such as Plant Pathology or Agronomy, plus at least 5 years of crop input field testing experience.
• OR Master’s degree in Soil Science (strongly preferred) or a related field, plus at least 3 years of experience in an agronomic or plant research environment.
• Proven ability to independently manage multiple, geographically dispersed field trials.

• Strong knowledge of crop production, framing practices, and some farming equipment operation.
• Working knowledge of crop related statistical analyses.
• Excellent understanding of trail design.
• Demonstrated ability to balance and prioritize tasks.
• Excellent organizational and record keeping skills.
• Proficiency in the use of ARM, ARM-ST, Microsoft Office, especially Power Point and Excel.

Other:

• Ability to get and hold:
  • FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) licenses
  • State Pesticide Applicators Licenses
  • CCA strongly encouraged.
• Ability and willingness to work extended hours and extended work trips during the peak planting, growing and harvest seasons is required.
• Estimated 25% overnight travel: growing season trial visits, harvest needs, industry conferences, and commercial meetings may be required. Major travel requirements between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Weekend travel or work only in exceptional circumstances.
• Energetic and self-motivated individual able to work in a distributed team environment with an eagerness to develop, learn and adopt new methods.

Physical Demands: 

• Extending: Extend self in a direction to complete a task. 

• Stationary Position: Remaining in one position for sustained periods of time. 

• Moving:  Moving to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another. 

• Fine Motor Skills: Using fingers for tasks such as typing, picking, or pinching, rather than full hand movements.  

• Transporting: Moving objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Objects can be up to 45 pounds in weight.  

• Manual Handling: Gripping, grasping, or applying pressure to objects using fingers and palms.  

• Repetitive motion: Engaging in recurring movements of the wrists, hands, or fingers, such as typing or assembling components.  

• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.  

Physical Requirements: 

• Sensory Touch: Assessing the size, shape, texture, or temperature of objects by touch, particularly with fingertips. 

• Communicating: Expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken word, including providing detailed or critical instructions clearly, quickly, and accurately. Perceiving sound details at normal speaking levels. Alternative methods of communication can be utilized as necessary. 

• Environmental Exposure: This position is involved working in outdoor field environment where the employee may be exposed to various environmental conditions, including:  

• Outdoor Exposure: The worker will regularly work outdoors and may be subject to various weather conditions, including sun, wind, rain, and temperature extremes. There is limited protection from the elements during these activities.  

• Heat Exposure: The worker may be exposed to high temperatures, sometimes exceeding 100 °F for extending periods (more than one hour). This may be further influenced by other factors such as humidity and wind.  

Job Location: Remote with time commitments to Headquarters, St. Louis, MO, United States

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular/Salary/Exempt

Salary: Competitive base range

Benefits: 401K with match, Healthcare, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, HSA/FSA options, Dependent Care Account, Employee Assistance Program, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Pet Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Long-Term Incentive Plan 

About Elemental Enzymes

Elemental Enzymes was founded upon the simple belief that we must do everything we can to improve agricultural performance in a way that not only enables plants to flourish but enriches and renews the planet with eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural solutions. From products that enable effective enzyme, peptide and protein inputs to foliar treatments that hold the promise to renew entire industries, our focus to make a positive difference in the world through people – like you and me. Success is a byproduct of responsible production. That’s why Elemental Enzymes works to bring cross-disciplinary scientists and processes together to create novel solutions to practical problems with a shared goal of helping both the plant and the planet.

Apply 

Please fill out the application and attach a cover letter and CV/Résumé. References required upon request.