Product Development Agronomist – Small Grains

About Pivot Bio:  

Fueled by an innovative drive and a deep understanding of the soil microbiome, Pivot Bio is pioneering game-changing advances in agriculture. Our products harness the power of naturally occurring microbes to provide nutrients to crops and new sustainable ways for farmers to reduce the usage of fertilizers as they work to help feed the world’s growing population.

Read/Hear more about Pivot Bio on Forbes or PBS News Hour. 

Position: Product Development Agronomist - Small Grains

Location: Western North Dakota / Eastern Montana (Bismarck, ND to Billings, MT)

Pivot Bio maintains offices in Berkeley, CA; Hayward, CA; Ames, IA and St. Louis, MO.

We are seeking a Product Development Agronomist to conduct late-stage product evaluation trials including both on-farm and small plot research protocols.  Communication of trial results and product performance with commercial agronomist will be a key to success for product development agronomist.  

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for all aspects of coordination and execution of late-stage field trials; location identification, grower/cooperator contracts, trial planting, in-season trial maintenance, harvesting and data collation
• Interact regularly with early adopters for both product evaluation and product support
• Support and facilitate commercial activities including product placement, marketing support, and sales staff training
• Develop and maintain relationships with current and future customers for product validation in existing and future product lines
• Develop and maintain relationships with research and discovery colleagues to help steward current products and introduce new products
• Develop and maintain relationships with current and future contract research organizations within the region
• Provide written agronomy research summaries that can be used to support product management, positioning, and field sales training
• Regularly integrate emerging technology tools for evaluation of products as well as grower demonstrations. 
• Travel up to 50% of the time

Required skills, experience:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy or related field plus at least five years’ field research experience required.
• Field research planning, trial design and statistical analysis
• Strong background in agricultural field research and solid understanding of agricultural products including plant nutrition, biologicals, crop protection chemicals and adjuvants/surfactants
• Strong practical knowledge of and experience with seed-treatment applications, data capture/entry
• Ability to incorporate technology tools and systems (remote sensing, aerial imagery etc. into R&D trail work.  Willingness to run proof of concept experiments with emerging technology tools (i.e., novel sensors).
• Ability to engage/present in customer field days, meetings, as well as certain company events
• Strong fertilizer and fertility knowledge from products, applications, practices, and crop need. Experience in small grains production and/or research a plus.
• Fluent in understanding and ability to educate on nitrogen and nitrogen management.
• Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions, i.e., heat, humidity, rain, cold, etc. for extended periods of time.
• Possess or have ability to acquire a Part 107 drone pilot certification
• Must be able to walk on uneven surfaces.
• Must be able to drive or ride in a vehicle for long periods of time.
• Seasonally the workday may be expanded to allow for tasks to be completed.
• Must be able to repetitively lift to 55 lbs.

**MUST BE AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES

What we offer: 

• Competitive package in a disruptive startup 
• Stock options 
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance with employer-paid premiums 
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability policies 
• Employee Assistance Program with free referrals and discounts 
• 401(k) plan, 3% Match 
• Commuter benefits 
• Annual Training & Development support 
• Flexible vacation policy with a generous holiday schedule 
• Exciting opportunity to work with a talented and fun team