Role Description:

• The Agronomic Research Specialist (ARS) is an individual contributor and part of a self-guided team executing Field-Testing operations to generate data for downstream breeding decisions for product advancement and design.
• Responsible for a network of participatory managed Maize testing operations including network planning, seed preparation, precision planting, harvesting and trait data collection with research grade equipment.
• Investigate and support the deployment of new technologies in automation and sensing for plant trait data collection. Interprets and analyzes crop data.  
• The ARS is part of the Breeding Evaluate team and reports to the Regional Head of Field-Testing and will be attached to a Breeding site.

Role Purpose:

• Product evaluation: Responsible for the design and execution of a network of in-house and participatory managed Field-testing locations for the testing of Genotype × Environment × Management interactions.
• Cooperator engagement: Contact for farmer-cooperators in their network of trials.  
• Technology Deployment: Implementation of innovative technologies designed to enhance phenotyping, such as use of geospatial systems, advanced planting and harvesting equipment, automated data capture and software systems, climatic and soil sensor instrumentation, aerial imagery applications, and digital operational management.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Independently responsible for site selection, grower relationships, workflow planning and execution, and recording of all field management practices relevant to cropping system.
• Organize planting, plot management, data collection and harvest operations of maize trials in alignment with Breeding objectives.
• Operating research equipment like planters, tractors, combines and sensing devices for testing purposes.
• Plan and execute work activities in collaboration with operations coach, peers and other stakeholders to enable optimal resource use across the entire country testing network.
• Organize and execute day-to-day priorities associated with data collection at sites, alone or as a leader of small teams.
• Take ownership for timely data delivery, trial quality, data quality checking and achievement of overall team data quality targets using organizational data reporting and visualization platforms.  
• Assign work in area of responsibility to contract/ seasonal workers, lead process improvements in safety/compliance/plot quality monitor and acquire field and equipment supplies.
• Provide on-site training and supervision of temporary/ seasonal employees and junior staff on standard operating procedures in area of responsibility.
• Travel up to 50% of the time particularly during peak seasons, to ensure data delivery for key product advancement deadlines and supervision of field activities.
• Creating a culture of safety, quality, and compliance through active participation and adherence to all ESH initiatives in the region.

Key Working Relation:

• Evaluate team (peers), Create team (Scientists & Seed Production), Farmer cooperators and Logistics team.  

Experience, Skills, and Qualifications:

• BSc in Agronomy, Crop Science, Breeding, or related fields with at least 3+ years relevant experience or, MSc in relevant field with 1 year experience through previous employment, or academic experience.
• OR College Diploma and minimum of 5+ years’ experience in a technology-based field-testing environment
• Proficiency in MS Office suite.
• Broad knowledge and experience with agricultural equipment and row crop production practices and history of leveraging that knowledge in a research environment.
• Knowledge of crop production, crop protection, farming practices and equipment management.
• Basic understanding and passion for emerging trends in agriculture.
• Strong competency with MS-Office software products and statistical systems (desired) used in scientific data analysis, with ability to quickly learn new software programs and tools.
• Excellent data management, acquisition, organization, analysis and presentation skills.
• Flexibility in an agile work environment.
• Good communication (English) and influencing skills.
• Excellent personal interaction skills and leadership capabilities.