The Equine Research Scientist leads and advances strategic equine research projects that support innovation, growth, and customer engagement for the equine business. Based at 4-Square Ranch in River Falls, Wisconsin, this role designs and executes high-quality research, translates scientific findings into actionable insights, and partners cross-functionally to deliver value to internal stakeholders and VIP customers. The position also includes active engagement as a Brand Advocate with customers and industry partners, ensuring research excellence, scientific credibility, and alignment with enterprise priorities.
You must live in the River Falls, WI area or be willing to relocate.
Equine Research: Lead and conduct equine research projects as aligned with consumer-led Innovation Roadmap
- Lead exercise physiology, digestive physiology and breeding/growth related equine research to drive innovation engine and new product development.
- Write protocols, conduct trials, manage and analyze data, write final reports, and communicate results to cross‑functional stakeholders, including Retail Research Director, Equine Research Manager, Research Scientists, Technical Sales Team, Marketing Team, Sales, Customers, Consumers and others.
- Collaborate with formulation and research scientists to complete exceptional cross-collaborative research across Animal Nutrition and Winfield United
- Participate in Microbiome Platform work – developing rations for horses, reviewing and writing MQ reports and consulting with customers.
- Develop relationships and execute research with external partners including Universities, Vendors, and Customers as needed
- Remain up-to-date on emerging technologies to support go-to-market strategy
- Active participation and leadership in industry associations.
- Publish abstracts and full papers related to scientific research on a 1-2 year cycle
4-Square VIP, Customer Engagement & Brand Advocate:
- Support VIP initiatives, give scientific talks, help host on-site engagements
- Partner cross-functionally to strengthen customer and consumer retail experience, leading to brand loyalty and product sales through the 4-Square experience. VIP customers include veterinarians, equine influencers, retail channel partners (dealers, farm and ranch, online) and horse owners.
- Brand Representation: Act as a proud ambassador for the Purina brand and 4 Square Ranch, consistently upholding our reputation for excellence and delivering a superior customer journey.
- Professional Demeanor: Maintain a consistently courteous, professional, and composed presence, even in fast-paced or challenging situations.
Personal Leadership & Development:
- Conduct work in alignment with enterprise and R&D team practices and goals
- Foster a culture that prioritizes Land O’ Lakes values and expectations across all R&D and partner functions/departments
- Engage in professional development, training and team building as needed to be successful in role
Required Experience and Education
- Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, or related field (PhD/DVM combination degree acceptable)
- 1-3 experience in animal nutrition research
- Success translating research work into practical application
- Active participation in industry associations, including successful publication history in a peer-reviewed environment.
Required Competencies & Other Skills
- A passion for delivering outstanding service and creating unforgettable experiences.
- Proven experience in a high-end customer service or hospitality role, with a strong emphasis on personalized guest interaction.
- An ability to connect with people and make them feel valued and heard.
- Ability to remain calm and composed while maintaining a welcoming attitude in a dynamic environment.
- Lead and embrace change, demonstrating agility to meet business needs
- Proven industry experience within the equine business
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across multiple teams
- Strong ability to execute on deliverables and provide technical communications
- Ability to anticipate challenges and prepare accordingly with strong problem-solving capabilities
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills across diverse operational areas
- Computer skills MS office
- Ability to travel up to approx. 10-15% of the time
Preferred Experience and Education
- Experience with formulation software and supportive platforms: Checkmate, Power BI, Ration Balancing Software, Database Platforms
Compensation
- Base salary is dependent upon experience/tenure and generally ranges between: $93,360 - $140,040
- Target bonus is: 12%
- In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges
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About Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.
We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root.
Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices.
Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its affiliates or search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested.
If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.
Skills Required
- Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, or related field (PhD/DVM combination degree acceptable)
- 1-3 years experience in animal nutrition research
- Success translating research work into practical application
- Active participation in industry associations and publishing in a peer-reviewed environment
Land O'Lakes, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Land O'Lakes, Inc. and has not been reviewed or approved by Land O'Lakes, Inc..
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Retirement Support — Retirement programs include automatic company contributions to retirement savings and additional support via 401(k) and HSA contributions. Legacy eligibility for a pension plan adds further long‑term security for some employees.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, and mental health support with confidential counseling and free therapy or coaching sessions for employees and dependents. Benefits begin on the start date, removing prior waiting periods.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, holidays, and paid leaves cover disability, parental, maternity, and caregiving needs. Caregiver and parental leave policies have been expanded to cover broader family situations, including foster placements prior to adoption.
Land O'Lakes, Inc. Insights
What We Do
Land O’Lakes, Inc. is a 100-year-old farmer- and retailer-owned cooperative originally formed with the purpose of working together to create new market opportunities. Fast forward to today and we’ve built on that uniting spirit, developing a comprehensive and leading view of agriculture while maintaining an unwavering commitment to delivering strong annual performance and long-term, shared success with our member-owners. Land O’Lakes believes farmers are the entrepreneurs who truly change the world for the better. By working together with our member-owners, we can continue to strengthen our system, champion farming’s true potential and place our farmer- and retail-owners at the heart of creating a better world for all.
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