Sr Phenotyping Scientist

OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a dynamic, self-motivated, and proactive Phenotyping Lead Scientist to join our growing Science team in Ghent, Belgium. This role is pivotal for developing 21st-century solutions to address global food challenges. As a scientific leader in plant phenotyping, you will support our design and discovery projects by developing, supervising, and executing phenotyping technologies and activities.

The Phenotyping Scientist will assess row crops such as soybean, maize and wheat. The main responsibility will be to connect phenotyping approaches and technologies with the need to evaluate crop performance and physiological traits. The phenotyping scientist will therefore play a key role in identifying and developing fit-for-purpose phenotyping technologies to address crop scientists' needs. Additionally, the phenotyping scientist will ensure coordination, quality, and execution of the phenotyping activities and implementation of these technologies. You will manage priorities in collaboration with Project Leads and support the development of a long-term strategic framework for phenotyping. A unique mixture of hands-on and strategic mindset is an essential requirement for this role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Technology Integration and Development: Continuously evaluate, onboard and when needed develop custom fit-for-purpose phenotyping technologies to improve our phenotyping pipeline.

• Strategic Framework: Support the development of a long-term strategic framework for phenotyping.

• Phenotyping Activities: Develop, improve, execute, and oversee various phenotyping activities.

• Experimental Design: Design phenotyping experiments in collaboration with Design and Discovery project leads.

• Team Coordination: Ensure communication, alignment, and coordination with operational teams.

• Project Alignment: Coordinate requests from Project Leads to ensure alignment with project needs.

• Compliance and Excellence: Ensure regulatory and safety compliance and operational excellence through continuous improvement of phenotyping SOPs.

• Site Alignment: Align phenotyping activities across three different sites (US, Belgium).

• Record Keeping: Maintain detailed, accurate, and comprehensible records of all experiments and results according to the FAIR principles.

• Platform Improvement: Identify and implement improvements in platform activities, such as analysis methods and general workflows.

REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Education: MSc. in Industrial, electrical, civil engineering or equivalent by experience with a demonstrated affinity for plants and plant phenotyping. Alternatively, candidates with degrees in biological sciences are also welcome to apply provided demonstrated capability in electrical engineering which will be essential for the development of custom-made phenotyping solutions.

• Expertise: In-depth knowledge of plant phenotyping technologies with additional knowledge of plant physiology in crops desired. Coding skills: C, R/Phyton

• Leadership: Proven ability to work independently, lead a team and coordinate projects to successful outcomes.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, tailored to the target audience.

• Adaptability: Ability to thrive and deliver results in a fast-paced, dynamic, and highly multitasking environment.

• Team Player: Proactive, highly motivated, and strong team player with the ability to adapt to organizational needs.

• Functional Leadership: Experience leading functional projects requiring planning, organization, and communication with employees not directly reporting to you.

• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated innovative, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• Time Management: Excellent time management and organizational skills.

ADDITIONAL DESIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• Statistics: Proficiency in statistical analysis.

• High Throughput Phenotyping: Experience with high throughput phenotyping.

• Industry Experience: Previous experience in a similar role within the industry.