Applied Genetics Scientist

“WE BUILD TRUST WITH FARMERS AROUND THE WORLD BY SUPPORTING THEM TO SUSTAINABLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND FLAVOR OF THEIR PRODUCTION.”

HM.CLAUSE is a Business Unit of Limagrain, an international agricultural co-operative founded and managed by farmers. HM.CLAUSE specializes in the breeding, production, and sale of vegetable seeds. From the world market to the farmer's market, we collaborate with our customers to deliver successful solutions for the agricultural challenges of today and produce the highest quality vegetable seeds for the future. Our global team of experts and state-of-the-art research facilities enable us to work side-by-side with growers to provide the most regionally relevant and reliable vegetable seeds available.

If our mission resonates with your passion, we look forward to your application. 

 Purpose of the Position

As part of the global Applied Genetic Sciences (AGS) team, you play a key role in driving innovation and efficiency in deploying genetic traits and advanced phenotyping technologies for Cucurbitaceae crops, including Melon, Cucumber, Squash, Watermelon, Pumpkin, and Butternut.

Reporting directly to the Global AGS Team Lead, you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across regions to implement genetic solutions and digital phenotyping tools that align with breeding program objectives. Efficiency in this role relies on your ability to integrate multiple dimensions: a strong understanding of program-specific aspects such as germplasm characteristics, market demands, and operational breeding workflows, combined with deep knowledges of the technological and genetic solutions developed within our R&D organization. By connecting these elements, you effectively adapt and refine strategies to address program-specific challenges while fostering collaboration between breeding and discovery teams, ensuring alignment and synergy.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by connecting cross-functional teams within R&D, positioning you as a key strategic partner across the organization. It enables you to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Cucurbitaceae breeding programs while advancing your career within a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Trait Deployment and Integration

· Drive the implementation of prioritized genetic traits into commercial breeding programs, ensuring alignment with market demands.

· Translate discovery research outputs into actionable breeding strategies, using data-driven approaches to optimize trait introgression and selection.

· Monitor and analyze performances of newly deployed traits and associated linked markers, providing insights for refinement and optimization.

· Contribute to the development of IT solutions in partnership with discovery and IT teams to enhance trait deployment and monitoring efficiency.

2. Image-Based Phenotyping Implementation

· Lead the validation and integration of image-based phenotyping tools into breeding workflows, ensuring they are practical, impactful, and aligned with program goals.

· Collaborate closely with Breeding Technologies teams to adapt imaging pipelines to breeding workflows and prioritize key trait targets for maximum relevance and efficiency.

· Champion the use of digital phenotyping to enhance data capture processes throughout the breeding pipeline, enabling accurate decision-making and precise selection for critical traits.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration, Knowledge Transfer, and Leadership

· Partner with discovery, breeding, pathology, operations, and data science teams to resolve technical challenges and improve deployment workflows.

· Serve as a bridge between discovery research and commercial breeding teams, facilitating knowledge transfer and fostering alignment across teams.

· Define and manage trait deployment plans with clear milestones, deliverables, and success metrics, ensuring effective communication of progress and outcomes.

· Train and mentor breeding teams on new traits, tools, and methodologies, promoting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within breeding programs.

· Technical Skills:

To be considered, you will need:

· Education:

o Master’s or Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Biotechnology, or a related field.

· Experience:

o 3+ years of experience in trait development, deployment, or breeding (preferably in cucurbit crops).

o Proven track record of delivering genetic traits into commercial pipelines.

o Hands-on experience with image-based phenotyping technologies and their integration into breeding programs is a great plus.

The rewards of working here: You join an expert team of innovators and creators that collaborate with farmers around the world to sustainably enhance the taste and quality of healthy food. Our goal is to form teams that inspire and learn from each other as they work to elevate our products from seed to table. We recognize our employees as our most valued resource and work to create an atmosphere that is supportive, healthy, and progressive. We promote an environment of wellness and well-being and hybrid schedules when it is appropriate for the position. It is an important and expanding piece of our local and global mission for Diversity & Inclusion programs and support groups in the corporate world.  

HM.CLAUSE offers a strong compensation and benefits package to its employees:

• Competitive salary

  • This position’s range is $95,000 - $105,000

Our total compensation and pay ranges reflect our market pay structures.  As such, individual salaries or hourly rates are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: local geographical market conditions, internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as job related skills, education, and experience.

• Comprehensive Benefits Choices

  • Medical, Dental, Vision

• Work/Life Balance

  • 12 Paid Holidays per year

  • +1 Floating Holiday per year

  • Paid shutdown holidays

  •  Progressive time off starting at 80-vacation hours

• Company Covered Benefits

  • Company paid Life Insurance, Long Term Care, Long and Short-Term Disability

• Wellness Benefits

  • Annual Fitness reimbursements, covered massage benefits & unlimited health coaching

  • Family EAP, Telehealth and Mental Wellness Services

• Internal Career Progression

  • Learning Environment

  • Promotions from within

  • Paid Annual Training

  • Tuition Reimbursement

• Welcoming Environment

  • Business casual attire; open door policy

• Financial Wellness

  • 401(k) dollar for dollar Employer matching

  • Additional Employer 401(k) Contribution per paycheck

  • Traditional and Roth (401k) plans options

  • Company Profit sharing in December

• Family Benefits

  • Maternity and Paternity paid time off

  • Fertility and Infertility benefits

  • Low family medical deductibles

We are a company with a supportive culture and leadership.  We encourage you to be part of our journey to enhance the world’s food supply and support the farmers that grow them.