Overview
PepsiCo is a global food and beverage enterprise that produces products for 22 iconic, billion-dollar brands, many of which are derived from agricultural raw materials. A creative, results-oriented scientist is required to lead the discovery breeding efforts within the Agro Discovery Team. The purpose of this role is to leverage discovery breeding practices and resources that aid in the identification of disruptive technologies that address consumer and business objectives. This position will work closely with other scientists and breeders to develop and implement technologies for breeding as part of a team. This role will immediately take responsibility for potato and oat discovery breeding efforts at the world-class PepsiCo plant breeding research station in Rhinelander, WI.
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In this role you would lead and implement technology-based discovery breeding efforts for potato and oat that are aligned to key business needs in support of the breeding programs. This position is also responsible for trait introgression for traits of interest to inbred lines for commercial production. This position will work closely with research scientists in the cross-crop breeding team working on technology initiatives and platforms, and research scientists in the Crop Improvement Team leveraging raw material technologies to drive strategic business initiatives aligned with the rest of the organization. This position will be part of the team of scientists and breeders working together and will be responsible for implementing discovery and pre-breeding efforts for the potato and oat breeding programs.
This position will be located in Rhinelander, WI and will require travel up to 15% of the time (primarily domestic travel with some international). This role will also require occasional flexibility to accommodate phone and video conferences across multiple time zones.
*Domestic Relocation Assistance is available for this role
Responsibilities
- Understand and contribute to potato and oat breeding strategy and execution.
- Develop long-term project plans and lead the advancement of new traits from an early discovery phase to breeding adoption
- Lead trait introgression for traits of interest to inbred lines for commercial production
- Interface between the raw material trait discovery group and the breeding groups for both oats and potato
- Utilize genomic resources to identify and enable modern genomic prediction, linkage and association-based mapping approaches
- Develop and maintain strategic diversity panels and mapping populations for use in discovery projects and breeding
- Assess pertinent competitive technology developments and academic research directions
- Operationalize dispersed data through collecting, managing, and analyzing phenotypic data in preparation for further analysis
Compensation & Benefits:
- The expected compensation range for this position is between $72,500 - $121,300
- Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary.Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process
- Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 8% of annual salary paid out annually
- Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement
- In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Molecular Genetics (applied), Quantitative Genetics (applied), Applied Plant Genomics, or a closely related field
- Experience with experimental design and modern statistical analyses
- Experience with gene discovery, QTL mapping, Association mapping, genetic prediction, etc.
- This position is limited to persons with indefinite right to work in the United States
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects with a high degree of flexibility and comfort with change and unexpected delays while maintaining overall productivity, and effectively share results across the organization.
- Knowledge of Marker Assisted Backcrossing and trait introgression to inbred lines
- Ability to deliver aggressive business innovation targets while maintaining scientific excellence
- Ability to work with large datasets including data collection, collation, curation, and analysis
- Goal oriented professional with evidence of applied strategic thinking
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and a proven ability to work well in a matrix team structure
- Excellent interpersonal skills required for effectively developing strong internal and external working relationships with a diverse group of people
EEO Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity
If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.
Please view our Pay Transparency Statement