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Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.
We’re hiring for a Field Testing Specialist for Prieska Region, Northern Cape.
Learn how you can be our voice in the conversation about the future of agriculture.
At Corteva Agriscience, you will help us grow what’s next. You will be part of a team that is building the future of agriculture – leading breakthroughs in the innovation and application of science and technology. In this role, you will use your research/agricultural experience to serve as a team member in the Testing team to conduct planning, planting, data collection and harvesting of research testing activities for Hybrid advancement and drought evaluations.
You Will Be Part of Growing Team
This role will support SPD field testing activities in the Prieska area. (Hoogekraal Research Station).
Your Challenge (Key Responsibilities):
- Lead experiment setup and execution of research maize drought and yield trials, including prioritizing tasks, driving efficiency and maintaining data quality.
- Research trial operations would include experiment management, seed setup, planting, plot maintenance, data collection, harvest, and data analysis.
- Ability to operate equipment for trial execution. This includes tractors, combines, planters, drones, sprayers, tillage implements, seed processing and irrigation equipment.
- Good agronomy practices and be ability to distinguish different abiotic and biotic stresses in the field
- Pesticide application and technical knowledge on pest identification and appropriate corrective action.
- Phenotyping and data collection, data and image analyses, and data quality assurance and integrity.
- Manage and execute selected safety programs, active contributions to site safety, and ensure others are working safely.
- Follow specific protocols to collect, analyze and distribute large volumes of data.
- Collaborate with experiment managers to summarize the results of experiments, communicate data quality concerns, and recommend actions.
- Effectively communicate with farmers, coworkers, key customers and management.
- The success of the research program may require weekend work and overtime during critical planting, harvest, spraying and irrigation periods.
- Manage and direct the work of temporary and seasonal employees.
- Contribute to maintaining a respectful work environment.
- Provide support for other research projects as assigned.
- Potential future opportunity to work with UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) data collection activities.
- As needed, supervise and direct the work of temporary/seasonal employees and provide support to other research projects.
Location:
Prieska, Northern Cape
Qualifications:
- BSc degree in Agriculture (or related scientific field).
- Minimum 2-3 year's hands-on, practical working experience in agronomy; knowledge of field trial execution, phenotyping, and good agronomy practices.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of drought stress management site,
- Strong knowledge of irrigation systems, probe management and weather station systems.
- Knowledge of, or willingness to learn the operation of agricultural and research equipment.
- Data collection and data-quality mindset, including adherence to protocols and proficiency with common office software (spreadsheets, email, calendar, presentations).
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders and to prioritize multiple tasks under time pressure.
- Safety-oriented and committed to regulatory compliance; experience with regulated trials/material is beneficial.
- Valid driver’s license (Experience driving a pick-up or SUV would be beneficial).
- Drone operating experience and license an advantage
- Willingness to travel, work outdoors in variable weather, and work extended hours/weekends during seasonal peaks.
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