Corn Senior Crop Trait Development Lead

At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on. Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.

About the role

The Corn Senior Crop Trait Development Lead will play a pivotal role in advancing insect control (IC) traits through late discovery pipeline stages. This role will also lead the assembly and evaluation of trait components into prototypes (including IC, HT, DR, Yield components) through pre-commercial pipeline stages and contribute to the overall strategy and success of our crop development initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Deliver on product strategy by balancing trait design configurations, optimal product performance, assembly cost, and timelines.
• Participate in and provide recommendations for research, product concepts, and business strategy to senior crop leadership.
• Develop and implement IP strategies that ensure freedom to operate (FTO) and maximize market opportunities for Corteva and licensee customers.
• Lead cross-functional project teams to direct the development stage technical evaluations and pre-commercial de-risking of product prototypes that bring together IC, HT, DR, and Yield trait components in elite germplasm.
• Lead cross-functional late discovery project teams to advance IC traits, including the development of scientific plans in alignment with functional leaders.
• Provide regular updates on project status, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders across R&D and Commercial/Business organizations.
• Develop and implement creative solutions to challenges that allow project advancements on aggressive timelines.
• Prepare, contribute, and present both scientific and commercial-focused presentations to diverse audiences, including regulatory, scientific, senior leadership, and customers.
• Author and contribute to both scientific and commercial product-focused publications in support of product development and launches.
• Provide meeting agendas with clearly defined deliverables and decision/recommendation points.
• Lead joint resource demand planning, including seeds, herbicides, and methods.
• Design experiments and develop compelling data sets to support pipeline advancements and out-licensing of industry-leading traits.
• Conduct crop and trait ratings in both controlled and field environments at global locations.
• Develop and participate in field plot tours.

Requirements

• PhD in Entomology, Breeding, Agronomy, Weed/Crop Science, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience, or MS with 15+ years of experience.
• Successful track record of aligning and leading cross-functional project and/or program teams with the ability to inform and influence across R&D and business stakeholders.
• Industry or public sector experience in commercial seed biotech trait development specifically in Insect Control discovery and development with Herbicide Tolerance, Disease Management, and Agronomic traits familiarity desired.
• Proven track record of scientific publications and/or patents demonstrating a strong understanding of plant biotechnology and breeding with an emphasis in insect control desirable.
• Strong familiarity with the trait development process preceding the commercial development.
• Relevant experience interacting with farmer customers in a commercial context is ideal.

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.

Learn more about life at Vylor.

Corteva announced plans to separate its current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, Vylor, Inc. The process is anticipated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that following the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc.