Senior Agricultural Field Scientist

At Fyto, we are partnering with farmers to build a sustainable food system at a global scale. We have developed an innovative technology platform that grows ultra-efficient, nutritious aquatic plants for food, feed and fertilizer. Our systems use much less energy, water, land, labor, and fertilizer than conventional approaches. And the platform is scalable and modular to fit any farm. Our headquarters is in California with domestic and international expansion on the horizon.

About the Role

We’re seeking an exceptional individual to help design and carry out the experimental roadmap that will drive Fyto’s cutting edge aquatic plant science research. You should be a creative problem solver and have an eye for details. You should be comfortable conducting benchtop science AND multi-acre crop trials. This is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of an exciting startup that is making the most of every acre. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and are subject to a background check. The on- site work for this position will be located in Tulare and in other locations in the future.

What you’ll do:

• • Utilizing public information and internal company learnings, map the primary variables that drive lemna yields and design the experimental roadmap to optimize these variables for farm- scale production
  • Respond proactively to issues that arise on the farm by designing and implementing experiments to quickly solve the problems
  • Work cross- functionally to ensure all experimentation is understandable for the broader team and translatable to the larger farm scale
  • Document all experiments in a detailed fashion, soliciting feedback at the design, execution, analysis, and conclusion stages
  • Expand and maintain Fyto’s biological library of aquatic crops and possess a sophisticated understanding of each crop’s requirements and capabilities
  • Work with our engineers to develop state-of-the-art tools and sensors for plant analysis and grow environment optimization/maintenance

Your required qualifications:

• Masters Degree or PhD in plant science, crop science, agronomy, or related field
• 5+ years of experience growing plants and deep understanding of plant physiology
• Greenhouse, hydroponic, or field agricultural experience
• Experience designing and documenting experiments
• Ability to work with minimal supervision as well as with a team
• Curious learner who is flexible, creative, self-motivated, and able to solve problems from lab bench to farm-scale
• Ability to thrive in the occasional ambiguity and roller-coaster ride of a startup environment
• Owner mindset – willing to pitch in on everything to help the company succeed
• Strong computer skills, including experience with MS Office (Excel, Powerpoint, and Word)
• Have a valid driver’s license and good driving record

Other preferred qualifications:

• Research experience focusing on plant physiology or plant nutrition
• Research experience with plant fertilizers
• Research experience with multiple plant species
• Experience in the cultivation of aquatic plants or hydroponic systems
• Enthusiasm to interact with our farmer partners and customers
• Experience with organic farming operations

Physical activity requirements:

• Walk across a variety of terrains, including uneven surfaces
• Climb, jump, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch and install equipment
• Stand for extended time periods
• Lift and carry up to 25 lbs but occasionally up to 50lbs
• Work in conditions with varying humidity, sunlight and temperatures (32°– 105° depending on the season)

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000-120,000. Benefits include stock options, medical, dental, vision insurance, and a 401K program.

FYTO is committed to equal opportunity and complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. FYTO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its recruitment processes and employment practices.

Fyto does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, or Fyto employees. Fyto is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.