Discovery Breeding Scientist Principle
YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Pepper Discovery Breeding Scientist Principal is a key scientific leader responsible for creating the genetic foundation for future pepper products. The role introduces novel variation and product concepts, manages germplasm diversity, and creates pool-specific trait donors. The scientist leads discovery breeding and germplasm enhancement strategies that deliver characterized, deployment-ready genetic assets to Product Design and Product Development.
The primary responsibilities of this role, Discovery Breeding Scientist Principal, are to:
- Own the global Pepper discovery breeding strategy to create novel genetic variation and future product concepts across relevant germplasm pools;
- Design and execute germplasm enhancement and pre-breeding programs using elite, exotic, landrace, wild, and underutilized sources;
- Manage germplasm diversity, defines diversity targets, monitors genetic bottlenecks, and protects long-term genetic optionality;
- Create, characterize, and validate pool-specific trait donors with sufficient agronomic fitness and clear deployment recommendations;
- Integrate trait discovery into breeding and Trait Integration pipelines and established disciplined handoffs of donor materials, data, and knowledge;
- Generate emerging ideotypes and product concepts in partnership with Product Design, Product Development, Market Development, and Crop Strategy;
- Apply quantitative genetics, genomics, phenomics, predictive breeding, bioinformatics, and functional genomics to accelerate discovery outcomes;
- Build external and internal partnerships to access germplasm, scientific capabilities, and enabling technologies;
- Lead complex cross-functional and cross-regional discovery initiatives; influences priorities without direct reporting authority;
- Mentor breeders and scientists and builds organizational capability in discovery breeding, pre-breeding, and germplasm innovation;
- Supports Health, Safety & Environment, Compliance, Business Conduct, Human Rights, and germplasm stewardship requirements.
WHO YOU ARE
Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree;
- Demonstrated success in germplasm enhancement, pre-breeding, donor development, genetic diversity management, and translation of discovery into breeding assets;
- Deep expertise in quantitative genetics, population improvement, experimental design, genomic prediction, marker-assisted breeding, and diversity analysis;
- Experience analyzing large biological data sets; proficiency in R, Python, or comparable analytical software;
- Demonstrated scientific leadership and ability to manage complex, multi-year, cross-functional initiatives;
- Strong collaboration, stakeholder influence, communication, and decision-making skills across cultures and regions;
- Demonstrated ability to mentor scientists, shape technical strategy, and foster an innovative, design-centered culture.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Quantitative Genetics, Genomics, Plant Biology, Computational Biology, or a related discipline;
- Postdoctoral experience;
- Minimum 8 years of relevant experience with a Ph.D. or 12+ years with a Master’s degree.
This posting will be available for application until at least 10/22/26;
Employees can expect to be paid a salary between $123,920.00 to $185,880.00. Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant); Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc. This salary range is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.
YOUR APPLICATION
Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs. If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and want to impact our mission Health for all, Hunger for none, we encourage you to apply now. Be part of something bigger. Be you. Be Bayer.
To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes.
Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans
Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s) using the contact information below.
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Bayer is an E-Verify Employer.
Location: United States : California : Woodland
Division: Crop Science
Reference Code: 891360
Contact Us
Email: hrop_usa@bayer.com