Research and Development Scientist

About This Role

This role focuses on product development for hydroponic leafy greens, supporting the design, development, and optimization of new and existing products from concept to launch. It involves collaborating with various teams to ensure products meet performance targets, regulatory requirements, and customer needs, and suits an enthusiastic and detail-oriented scientist.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the planning, execution, and analysis of product development trials, experiments, and scale-up processes
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across different farm locations to accomplish R&D plans
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data using appropriate scientific methods and tools
• Prepare clear and concise technical reports, presentations, and documentation
• Communicate trial results and learnings to different BF stakeholders
• Implement BF pipeline processes before, during, and after each trial
• Ensure data quality and act as a strong steward of the experimental database
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and best practices when running trials in production farms
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, process optimization, and knowledge sharing
• Develop and review SOPs for R&D processes
• Serve as an internal and external technical reference and provide expert knowledge on new varieties
• Support sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and pilot-scale equipment trials

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Horticulture, Plant Science, Biology, Food Science, Chemistry, or a related field
• 1–5 years of relevant industry or academic experience in product development, R&D, agriculture, seed production, or a related field
• Strong technical knowledge of plant science and hydroponic vegetable production practices
• Excellent problem-solving, oral and written communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Ability to develop and maintain long-term industry relationships
• Team-oriented mindset
• Comfortable with hands-on research equipment, trial execution, and data analysis
• Knowledge of product lifecycle management and documentation systems
• Interest in sustainable and innovative product solutions
• Willingness to travel nationally and/or internationally
• Lifting up to 25 pounds
• Ability to work under different conditions of high and low temperatures

Nice to have:

• Familiarity with experimental design and basic statistical tools