Nematologist (Associate Scientist)

The J.R. Simplot Company is a diverse, privately held global food and agriculture company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. We are a true farm-to-table company with an integrated portfolio including food processing and food brands, phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, and other enterprises related to agriculture.

Summary

This role contributes to the genetic improvement of potato through biotechnology and breeding at Simplot Plant Sciences (SPS), a division of the J. R. Simplot Company. Most activities to perform the job will be conducted in and around Boise, Idaho. The hired nematologist will establish laboratory and field methods to score bioengineered potato plants for resistance to specific nematodes. The nematologist will assist geneticists in mapping and cloning resistance genes to potato nematodes. As this scientist will be integral to the establishment of the first program to develop nematode resistant potatoes via biotechnology, we seek a person with passion and patience to pioneer this effort. The individual in this role must demonstrate the ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision while effectively communicating in a multi-disciplinary team and actively participating in discussions and meetings.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintains virulent, working cultures of root knot and root lesion nematodes

• Grows plants for pathogen tests

• Generates data from pathogenicity tests on transgenic and cisgenic potatoes in the laboratory or greenhouse

• Assists agronomists and third-party researchers in the establishment of field trials to test genetic resistance strategies showing promise from lab

• Acts as local SPS nematology expert and point of contact for investigations with third-party collaborating scientists, contract research organizations and field trial supervisors

• Interprets and communicates to all interested parties results from laboratory, greenhouse, and field tests

• Contributes as a collaborative scientist to the advancement of all plant pathology and plant bioengineering goals of Simplot Plant Sciences.

Typical Education

Master's degree and 1+ years of experience or Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience

Relevant Experience

A demonstrated competency in nematology, plant pathology and horticulture is required. Some competency in molecular biology and genetics is desirable.

Other Information

• Pertinent experience and/or training in nematology, preferably in the private sector

• An understanding of crop production systems and the problems inherent to crop agriculture.

• Competence to raise and handle plants

• Proficient use of appropriate tools to document and analyze experiments

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills, intellectual leadership

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Experience working collaboratively and independently in support of team efforts.

• Track record of flexibility and adaptability

• Some travel nationally, and perhaps internationally, to supervise collaborative research projects and field trials

Job Requisition ID: 18903

Travel Required: Less than 10%

Location(s): SPS Irving St Building A R&D - Boise

Country: United States

The J.R. Simplot Company is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other protected status.