Testing Research Associate

The Testing Research Associate will ensure execution of experimental protocols, proper agronomic practices, crop management techniques, high throughput data collection and insights generation to enable advancements of vegetable pre-commercial pipelines. Key Deliverables include: i) high quality data & insights to support the advancement and placement of pre-commercial products, ii) deliver technical innovations supporting phenotyping operational efficiency and effectiveness, iii) deliver farming solutions to address market needs.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and passionate individual to join a multidisciplinary team of vegetable breeders, horticultural scientists, data scientists, and engineers who work on creative solutions to complex business problems using advanced field and greenhouse operations, equipment, analytics, and cutting-edge automation techniques. This role is field based and focused on glass cucumbers but requires flexibility nd willing to adapt to different types of crops and growing environments as needed.

Base location – Bergschenhoek, Netherlands

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Responsible for planning and executing experimental protocols and performance trials in protected culture and open field environments ensuring resources are properly allocated to deliver pipeline needs, generate quality data and insights enabling the advancement of new products based on performance of products and market needs.
•    Develops, executes and continuously improves strategic testing plans in alignment with business objectives meeting quality, operational efficiency and budget expectations.
•    Operates research equipment, collecting data in Windows and iOS operating systems (desktop computing, iPhones, iPads), data management with internal IT systems, conduct data quality checks and complying with seed stewardship standards.
•    Leverage metrics, IT applications and quality control processes to realize accuracy, efficiency and expanded improvements to protocols.
•    Uses data analysis and visualization tools to transform data into insights and communicate the performance story supporting the transfer agronomic knowledge and positioning of selected products to commercial partners and growers.
•    Manages relationships with growers and third-party cooperators including searching for/maintaining external trialing locations, mange grower contracts and part time labor ensuring timely completion and integrity of data collected.
•    Uses overall understanding of market potential, competition, key trends, research and emerging market forces to become an industry expert partnering with breeding, market development and sales organizations to develop strategies and plans that effectively grow market share.
•    Explore new technologies to increase capacity, speed up current processes, and deploy novel technologies in data collection and crop management to deliver operational excellence.
•    Perform tasks in compliance with local regulations, Bayer policies and quality standards, including safeguarding of equipment daily use logs, calibration and maintenance.
•    Ability to work extended hours during peak seasons (including non-traditional day-time hours with the potential of overnight travel).

Key Working Relation:
•    Regional Breeding R&D partners including Phenotyping, Nursery and Seed Generation Hub members.
•    Country and regional Vegetable Seeds Partners in the commercial units.
•    Vegetable Seeds R&D Global Data Science and Engineering team and Integrated Pipeline Planning, and IT Teams.
•    External customers, Industry Partners and Outside vendors

WHO YOU ARE
•    BSc. in Horticulture, Agronomy or related field with a minimum of 2 years of crop management either in open field or in a greenhouse environment or MSc with 1 year of crop management experience, either in open field or in a greenhouse environment (experience in cucumbers is a plus). 
•    Knowledge and experience with agricultural equipment and vegetable crops production practices and history of leveraging that knowledge in a research environment.
•    Knowledge of cucumber glass production is a plus.
•    Demonstrated abilities to work collaboratively with cross functional teams, develop project plans, analyze and interpret and communicate scientific data to achieve business results.
•    Data-driven and strong analytical skills, ability to transform and translate insights. 
•    Ability to perform successfully in a fast-paced, dynamic, team-based environment and to manage multiple projects and priorities.
•    Ability to manage grower relationships (customer focus including but not limited to contract negotiations).
•    Capacity to communicate and work effectively with all management levels in a multi-cultural organization.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills both in Dutch and English.
•    In possession of a valid driver license in order to visit the growers throughout the country.

We don't have a relocation budget so we prefer a candidate who already living in the Netherlands. 

WHAT BAYER OFFERS YOU

INTERESTED IN THIS JOB?
Send us your cv and motivation letter by clicking the ‘Apply’ button! If you have any questions about the position, you can contact Nienke Klaar, nienke.klaar.ext@bayer.com. What can you expect? The application process consists of a personality questionnaire and an interview with the recruiter and hiring manager. 

Would you like to know more about what our people do and how they feel at Bayer? Check  https://www.bayer.com/en/nl/career/our-people#489796  and follow us via #TeamBayerBenelux! 

We do not accept any unsolicited applications via agencies.  

#LI-BNL