R&D Scientist I

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Who We Are
Koppert Biological Systems is the worldwide market leader in integrated pest management and disease management. The ongoing attempt to discover and utilize natural principles forms the backbone of Koppert's activities. Our strength lies in our ability to turn this knowledge into practical applications which contribute to finding solutions to prevailing problems. Koppert also believes in sharing knowledge and training staff and clients towards achieving sustainable horticulture and agriculture.
Job Purpose
The R&D Scientist merges analytics and systematic investigation with specialized knowledge of the biology and mass production of beneficial insects to help drive successful production programs at Koppert. Working cross-functionally, you will actively contribute to the development and continuous improvement of production processes to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality products.
You will engage in a variety of assignments under the scope of R&D. You will be expected to perform additional tasks outside of your core responsibilities in support of other departments including Quality Assurance, Materials Planning and Logistics, and Production.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Continually develops knowledge of our products and their production through literature reviews and internal collaborations.
• Effectively translates research questions into practical, testable hypotheses.
• Performs hands-on bench or field work spanning the fields of entomology, ecology, horticulture, infectious diseases, insect husbandry, and molecular biology.
• Executes multiple, simultaneous collaborative applied research projects.
• Supports development of product specifications and quality metrics to deliver optimal product and process performance.
• Follows the R&D Stage Gate Process for each project.
• Executes organized documentation of experimental results from conceptualization through completion including project proposals, observations, data analysis and reports.
• Leverages analytics to facilitate increased understanding and improvement of biological systems.
• Demonstrates a high level of personal ethics regarding data integrity, minimizing human and experimental error, and other facets of conducting high-quality research.
• Writes clear and unbiased reports with analyses and conclusions that are firmly grounded in empirical data and scientific principles.
• Successfully interacts with various functional roles including Quality Assurance, MPL (Materials, Logistics and Planning), and Production to drive project completion.
• Works with the team to maintain a clean and orderly lab.
• Openness to performing other related duties as assigned.

Requirements
Skills and Qualifications

• Intrinsically motivated to provide fast, actionable results.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental design and execution within biological and/or production systems.
• Applied knowledge in statistics, data management and data visualization.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information to expert and non-expert stakeholders in written and verbal form.
• Effectively prioritizes workload in a timely and proactive way.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree with three years of relevant experience in entomology (preferred), ecology, horticulture, or animal science.
• Experience using statistical software packages (i.e. Minitab, R, etc.) to analyze data sets of varying complexity.
• Experience conducting husbandry of live animals and/or rearing of insects in a laboratory setting.
• Experience conducting research in a field and/or production setting.
• Experience with other various microbial techniques.
• Demonstrated knowledge in laboratory safety.

Working Conditions

• General office environment: works at a desk in a well-lit, air-conditioned, shared space, with mild to moderate noise levels.
• General laboratory environment: works in a wet lab, containing various types of chemicals and potential hazards.
• General production/field environment: occasionally works in Production/field to facilitate trials.
• Regular exposure to common allergens associated with pollen, bumble bees, mites and the rearing of other live insects.
• Regular exposure to hot or humid conditions and outdoor weather conditions.
• Domestic/International travel occasionally required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly stand or walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to travel (air and ground).
• Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds, and occasionally lift up to fifty (50) pounds.

Working at Koppert
Koppert stands at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, having been founded in 1967 by visionary Dutch grower Jan Koppert. Our mission is to make agriculture healthier, safer, and more productive by partnering with nature. We achieve this through the use of natural enemies to combat pests, employing bumblebees for pollination, and leveraging microbials and bio stimulants to support, protect, and strengthen crops. Our innovations have propelled a significant shift towards sustainable agriculture over the past 50 years, offering growers and farmers worldwide natural solutions that restore balance in their crops, improve health and resilience, and increase yield. With a clear vision of achieving 100% sustainable agriculture, we collaborate with growers, partners, universities, research institutions, and governmental bodies globally to meet the highest food safety demands while contributing to the better health of people and the planet. Through our integrated system of specialist knowledge and natural solutions, we continue to drive agricultural innovation and impact, embodying our commitment to partner with nature and promote sustainable growing practices.
The working atmosphere at Koppert is informal. We are a family company and closely involved with everything that happens within and outside our company. We are consistently looking at ways of improvement and continuing to invest in our employees.
Comprehensive Benefits Package to include medical, dental, and vision insurance, employer funded health savings account, tuition reimbursement, employer 401K match, life insurance, wellness program initiatives, employee assistance program, Volunteer Day, Koppert gear, and generous PTO!
Koppert Biological Systems is a veteran-friendly, Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. If you want to join a global and growing organization submit your cover letter and resume. At Koppert, we learn something every day!