Field Testing Specialist - Biosciences

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) is the world’s leading integrated producer of concentrated phosphate and potash—two of the three most important nutrients in agriculture. We employ more than 13,000 people in six countries to serve farmers all over the world. Our Headquarters is in Lithia, Florida with operations throughout North America (U.S./Canada) and South America.

At Mosaic We Help the World Grow the Food it Needs - Apply today and join our team!

Field Testing Specialist

Where will you work: Onsite – Durham, NC (5 Lab Drive, Suite 3200
Durham, NC 27709) Remote option available to non-local applicants

The field testing specialist role combines a strong background in agronomic small-plot field research, data organization, and communication skills to execute the North American field trial research program. This employee will oversee third-party field research operations across North America relying on knowledge of soil fertility, biologicals, and various cropping systems to ensure quality agronomic data is captured. This position also involves working with the data science team to agronomically interpret trial results and present findings to various stakeholders. Great communication, willingness to travel, and strong organizational skills are critical for success in this role.  This position will oversee implementation of field research protocols and management of contract research organizations (CROs) as well as university relationships for successful evaluation of existing and new product technologies.

What you’ll do?

• Assist project leads in developing field trial research objectives.

• Design and communicate field trial protocol requirements to CROs.

• Collect quotes, negotiate terms, invoice management, and implementing confidentiality or service agreements.

• Maintain and track field testing budgets for multiple stakeholders.

• Travel to CROs for pre- and in-season assessments of the field studies to ensure quality studies and evaluations.

• Track, report, and optimization of trial quality control to various stakeholders.

• Collaborate with the data science team to optimize the capture, organization, and reporting of field trial results and trial status.

• Communicate field trial research objectives, trial quality documentation, and other pertinent trial information to data analysis team.

• Assist project teams in the agronomic interpretation of field trial results and their significance to crop physiology, soil fertility, and North American crop production practices.

• Deliver effective and dynamic oral and written presentations to communicate key research findings to stakeholders with various technical backgrounds

• Oversee shipping contractors to manage test-product sourcing, inventory, and shipping to researchers in North America and internationally.

What you’ll need:

• Master's degree in Agronomy Research, Agronomics, or Plant Biology

• Minimum of 5 years of Agronomic field trial research

• Broad knowledge of crop nutrition, biologicals, and crop physiology

• The applicant needs to be self-directed and highly motivated. 

• Knowledge of field and general agronomic safety.

• Excellent organization and process management skills.

• Willing/able to travel to within North America and other destinations.

• Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills through various multi-media outlets.  (webinars, large audiences, small groups, conference calls, etc.)

• Understanding of comprehensive statistic approaches as it relates to field trial research is necessary.

• Microsoft Office programs, ARM

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel

Bonus if you have the following:

• Doctorate degree 

• Broad knowledge of North American crop production practices.

• Background in field trial data management

• Microsoft PowerBI and PowerApps, statistical software “R” and “SAS”

Required Travel

• Frequency: 40% - 50% North America

• Frequency: 0% - 10% Europe

• Frequency: 0% - 10% Asia and South America