Insect Control & Protection Traits Discovery Lead

About the role

Corteva Agriscience is seeking an experienced and accomplished leader to advance early transgenic discovery leads in the biotechnology pipeline and play a pivotal role in creating new trait opportunities in emerging and existing crops. The role involves developing strategies for leveraging genome edited, native trait, and transgenic insect control leads.

Responsibilities

• Connect transgene, native trait, and gene editing strategies for insect control.
• Develop strategies for native trait and gene editing for insect control/protection traits in existing and emerging crops and integrate them to deliver the existing transgene pipeline and strategy.
• Participate in and provide recommendations for research, product concepts, and strategy to Portfolio and Pipeline 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 in a matrixed organization to advance insect control leads, aligning discovery and early proof of concept of genes/proteins/traits delivering insect control efficacy on key targets.
• Collaborate across R&D and IT to develop, implement, and evolve new technologies that unlock insect control solutions faster, cheaper, and/or in new crops, including predictive analytics, protein design, plant expression, genomics, and cellular screening.
• Develop and implement creative solutions and apply project management principles to leverage innovation while ensuring progress on aggressive timelines that meet clearly established advancement criteria and resource targets.
• Translate ambiguous scientific opportunities into clear technical plans, milestone-driven execution, and program recommendations.
• Provide regular updates on project status, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders across R&D and Commercial/Business organizations.
• Prepare, contribute, and present scientific presentations to diverse audiences, including regulatory, functional/scientific, and senior leadership.
• Author and contribute to both scientific and intellectual property-focused publications in support of product development.
• Provide meeting agendas with clearly defined deliverables and decision/recommendation points and ensure matrix project teams are aligned to strategy.
• Lead joint resource demand planning with functional partners.

Requirements

• PhD in Breeding, Biochemistry, Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, or a related field with over 10 years of experience.
• Successful track record of aligning and leading cross-functional project 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, preferably in insect control discovery and development. Familiarity with Herbicide Tolerance, Disease Management, and Agronomic traits is desired.
• Proven track record of scientific publications and/or patents demonstrating a strong understanding of plant biotechnology and breeding, with an emphasis on insect control.
• Strong familiarity with the trait development process preceding commercial development.

Benefits

• Numerous development opportunities to build your skills.
• Health benefits for you and your family starting 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, including a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father.
• Competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program.