About the role...

The Prototype Characterization Lead is part of the product development team that will act as a fundamental bridge between the early and late product development teams. The Prototype Characterization Lead will coordinate and develop innovative ways of screening edited lines coming out of our robust gene editing pipeline at an early stage of development for desirable phenotypes of interest. You will be responsible for designing greenhouse and field-testing protocols, ensuring all seed is available on time and recommend advancement of potential edits to the next stage of testing.  The Lead will be responsible for interpreting and sharing the data with Product Development and other teams to support future product launches. This role reports to the Director of Product Design and Development and is based in West Lafayette, Indiana.

As the Prototype Characterization Lead, you will…

• Primary responsibility for the planning and execution of phenotypic characterization for all prototypes, in Inari’s crops of interest
• Contribute to project planning and defining experimental objectives; ensuring all the elements necessary for trial implementation are in place
• Ensure screening materials are created and tested according to business plans, closely collaborating with Early Product Development(EPD) to understand what is coming when and ensure characterization and seed increases 
• Tight coordination with the teams managing the controlled environment and field operations and with the EPD Data team lead
• Lead the summary and communication of complex phenotypic data to stakeholders and enable appropriate decision making
• Standardize phenotyping process for identifying single and/or multiple gene combinations 
• Generate and summarize experimental data to identify edited gene combinations of interest, narrowing down the number of potential candidates for further product development 
• Summarize and interpret trial data and provide guidance on first set of “genotypes” to advance edited products through our late stages and gateways process
• Comply with all regulatory compliance guidelines for Confined Release and Stewarded Trial materials

You Bring…

• MS or PhD degree in Agronomy or Crop Science with 3 to 5+ years of industry experience in field testing, product evaluation, and/or technical product management. Willing to consider B.S. degree with proven years of experience 
• Knowledge of science related plant biology and testing of gene edited products
• Extensive experience designing field strategy and conducting field research
• Strong experimental design and analytical skills to generate, interpret and summarize scientific data and information
• Knowledge and understanding of testing regulated crops in GH and field settings
• Knowledge of germplasm (corn, soybean), traits, chemistries, and general agronomic practices
• Bring innovation to improve productivity and bring efficiency to existing processes 
• Adaptability and enthusiasm for new challenges, innate curiosity, and a passion for learning
• Creative and strategic thinking, willingness to be bold and take risks, and the ability to recognize and learn from failure.
• A collaborative mindset that is open to giving and receiving ideas, perspectives, and feedback.
• Ability to work both independently and deliver on responsibilities within a highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of individuals and audiences.
• Interpersonal skills to communicate, advise, negotiate or influence others as well as build productive working relationships in a cross functional environment.