Senior Plant Health Scientist

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary purpose of this position is to lead and execute the scientific, technical, and strategic direction of Plant Health research-particularly for wheat diseases-by generating high quality phenotyping data, advancing Precision Breeding innovations, and integrating disease risk insights into breeding and product development decisions. The role strengthens global Crop Science capabilities by driving cross-regional collaboration, harmonizing best practices, and building networks with internal and external experts. Through leadership in high throughput phenotyping, analytics, genomics, and academic partnerships, the position ensures robust germplasm improvement, accelerates trait discovery, informs product deployment strategies, and enhances Bayer’s scientific leadership in plant pathology. It also upholds company standards in safety, compliance, and responsible business conduct.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this role, Senior Plant Health Scientist, are to:

• Design, develop and execute plant health trials focused on germplasm improvement and characterization of key disease traits in field and controlled environment conditions;
• Lead key projects implementing Precision Breeding technical innovations within North America and with global partners, in close collaboration with breeding and commercial teams to optimize germplasm improvement and characterization;
• Prepare, analyze, and present plant health data to breeding and commercial teams to support data-driven decisions for product advancement and deployment;
• Apply disease risk methodologies to inform breeding strategies and clearly communicate implications for product deployment to commercial stakeholders;
• Build and manage collaborations with universities and other external experts on pipeline screening, including oversight of material transfer agreements and related compliance;
• Work across crops on high-throughput, analytical and genomic plant health projects to improve strategies for pipeline screening and discovery initiatives;
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary R&D and Crop Science teams to integrate plant health findings into broader agricultural research and product development strategies;
• Communicate research outcomes through publications, presentations, and internal reports to contribute to scientific knowledge and guide strategic decision making;
• Demonstrate creativity in problem solving by applying advanced analytics and technologies to address complex plant health challenges;
• Support and role-model Bayer’s standards for health, safety, compliance, and responsible business conduct.

WHO YOU ARE

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Plant Pathology or a closely related field;
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing field and confined-environment protocols for major row crops such as wheat, corn, soy, cotton, or canola;  
• Strong understanding of plant pathogens, plant disease assays, experimental design, and the planning, coordination, and execution of plant disease experiments;
• Solid background in disease and pathogen biology, disease epidemiology, and integrated disease management;
• Demonstrated skills in data analytics and applied statistics for plant disease data, with the ability to translate complex analyses into actionable insights;
• Proven results orientation, agility, and willingness to take calculated risks to drive innovation;
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences;
• Ability to work effectively in highly dynamic, global, and cross-functional teams focused on delivering products and operational efficiencies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree in Plant Pathology or a closely related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience;
• Hands-on experience in wheat plant pathology;
• Demonstrated experience working with field wheat and wheat disease phenotyping;
• Demonstrated knowledge of advanced breeding methodologies, including their application to disease resistance;
• Experience with breeding for resistance in hybrid crops, ideally within large-scale commercial breeding programs.

This posting will be available for application until at least May 8, 2026

Relocation may be offered for this role.

Employees can expect to be paid a salary between $111,520.00 to $167,280.00. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant). Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc. This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.