Corteva Agriscience→
Plant Pathology Technology Scientist at Corteva… · Des Moines
Skills
Job Description
Corteva Agriscience is a global leader in genetics, seed technologies, and digital agriculture. Our Breeding organization advances high-performing germplasm and native traits that help farmers meet tomorrow's challenges.
We recently formed the Plant Pathology Technology Team to develop and deploy plant pathology technologies while continuing to drive Pathology Operational and Scientific Excellence for North America Breeding and Continuous Winter Nursery teams, with a focus on Germplasm Characterization. The team is empowered to partner across the organization to advance key competencies critical to our continued success — including molecular pathology, phytosanitary for global seed movement, precision phenotyping, emerging disease strategy, and native trait discovery.
We are seeking a forward-thinking Plant Pathology Technology Scientist who will empower our global breeding teams with cutting-edge disease-screening, data-science, and novel phenotyping solutions.
You will drive innovation, validation, and deployment of next-generation pathology technologies that accelerate discovery, and scale selection and advancement of disease-resistant germplasm. You will support and improve product characterization processes for current and emerging diseases while partnering collaboratively to identify novel sources of disease resistance genes to diseases that are highly important to our key stakeholders.
Working closely with breeders, quantitative geneticists, native trait scientists, precision phenotyping, automation and engineering, and biostatistics, you will ensure that high-quality phenotypic and genomic data flow seamlessly into our predictive-breeding pipelines
***Please note: there is no visa sponsorship provided for this role.
What You'll Do:
Design, optimize, and deploy controlled environment and field assays for disease-resistance phenotyping across diverse crops and maturity groups.
Support evaluation of germplasm for disease resistance in field and controlled environments.
Precision & High-Throughput Phenotyping
Establish high-throughput inoculation, imaging, and sensor-based phenotyping platforms that integrate native trait gene identification, genomic-selection, and marker-assisted-selection workflows.
Leverage cutting-edge phenotyping platforms such as proximal sensing, UAVs, and hyperspectral/multispectral imaging — combined with AI/ML-based image analysis — to characterize plant–pathogen interactions with unprecedented resolution.
Establish quantitative phenotypic signatures linked to specific resistance mechanisms, enabling rapid and accurate selection of resistant germplasm.
Apply statistical-computing skills to manage and analyze large, multi-environmental datasets and implement machine-learning methods to enhance predictive accuracy of disease resistance. Must be familiarized with programing languages like R, Python, or similar.
Build custom analytics and interactive reports to enable data-driven optimization of managed environments for disease characterization.
Integrate phenotypic, environmental, and genomic data to enhance breeding decisions during material advancements.
Partner closely with the Native Traits team to accelerate the discovery, identification, and functional characterization of native disease resistance traits for all major crops.
Proactively scout, identify, and characterize new and emerging plant disease threats; develop managed environments and greenhouse assays to enable rapid characterization.
Collaborate with the Native Traits team, Diagnostics labs, and Breeding teams to employ systematic sampling of disease tissue, enabling a deeper understanding of pathogen distribution and race shifts, and evaluating how these shifts impact our products and better inform breeding decisions.
Work closely and develop strong relationships with key stakeholders to drive laser focus aligned priorities.
Lead cross-functional proof-of-concept projects, manage timelines, and communicate progress to diverse stakeholders.
Use creative, innovative approaches — and strong deductive reasoning — to solve complex scientific problems and adapt quickly to shifting program priorities.
Support Pathology Operational Excellence for North America Breeding and Continuous Winter Nursery teams.
Champion a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and scientific excellence.
What Skills You Need:
Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Plant Breeding, Plant Biology, Bioinformatics, Data Science, or related field (0–5 years post-doctoral/industry experience); OR M.S. with 10+ years relevant industry experience.
Demonstrated expertise in at least two of the following:
Disease-resistance phenotyping and Controlled Environment Assay Development (field nurseries, growth chambers, greenhouses)
Molecular or imaging-based pathogen detection
High-throughput phenotyping or laboratory automation
Disease modeling and forecasting
Statistical programming & data analytics using R, Python, SQL, scientific-computing libraries
Proven ability to manipulate and interpret large datasets and to construct interactive visual analytics.
Track record of innovative problem-solving (publications, patents, implemented tools).
Excellent communication skills and experience leading multi-disciplinary project teams.
What Makes You Stand Out:
Familiarity with major row-crop diseases and resistance screening methodologies (corn, soybean, wheat, sunflower, sorghum).
Experience with precision phenotyping platforms (Solix Rovers, UAVs, hyperspectral/multispectral imaging) and AI/ML-based image analysis.
Experience supporting breeding programs and germplasm characterization workflows.
Experience leading or contributing to cross-functional councils, technology working groups, or industry consortia.
Benefits – How We’ll Support You:
Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life
Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.
Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.