Marker Assisted Selection Scientist - Trait Genetics - Technologies R - D

Marker Assisted Selection Scientist - Trait Genetics - Technologies R - D

Title: Marker Assisted Selection Scientist - Trait Genetics & Technologies R&D
Location: Saskatchewan-Saskatoon
Dow AgroSciences LLC is an organization committed to enhancing the quality of life by developing innovative technology for responsible pest control, efficient production of an abundant, nutritious food supply and the use of renewable agriculture resources for improved commercial, industrial and personal care applications.

Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. is a research based, agricultural sciences company with a diverse product portfolio including weed, insect and disease management for agricultural/horticultural crops and products for forestry and industrial vegetation management. The company has also made significant investments in developing a plant genetics and biotechnology platform in canola and corn. This investment is focused on a range of research for the development of input production traits and value-added quality traits. Dow AgroSciences has established field research capabilities across western and eastern Canada including a plant breeding and cell biology group based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

This scientist position has responsibilities for developing new molecular markers in support of the Omega-9 canola breeding program throughout the Variety Development Process. A fundamental responsibility of this position involves communicating with key stakeholders, including the breeding group in North America and Europe as well as the TG&T group in Indianapolis and external collaborators to ensure that projects are initiated and results delivered in a manner that optimizes the use of available resources and does not compromise project timelines. Process improvement and the implementation of new technologies will be a constant deliverable. Success in this position requires the incumbent to coordinate key activities and engage relevant workgroups to ensure that customer expectations are exceeded. The successful candidate will be committed to achieving his/her goals in accordance with DAS safe workplace policies and show dedication fostering a safe work environment for the lab.

Responsibilities related to position:

Initiative
* Taking ownership and accountability for the development and reduction to practice of new molecular markers in support of the Omega-9 breeding program.
* Responsibilities for keeping screening projects tracking on proposed timelines and meeting expectations of throughput capacity.
* Demonstration of project prioritization and the ability to multitask activities for the delivery of results against compressed timelines.
* Capturing and communicating scientific discoveries and relevant information through internal documenting processes and data planning/review sessions.

Innovation
* Responsible for streamlining the day to day management of the various processes involved in marker assisted selection (DNA extraction, marker assays, data analysis).
* The ability to deliver continuous process improvement and demonstrated discipline for reducing cost to serve while striving toward the goal of automation.

Teamwork
* Providing guidance and maintaining effective lines of communication between workgroups for the goal to produce, generate, update, communicate, and execute project plans.
* Communicate with other lab groups to share workspace and equipment ensuring resources are optimally utilized and synergies across functions are exploited.
* Working along side the technical members of the team to assure that all aspects of good lab practice is constantly occurring and deliver reliable consistent results to maintain and build your customer's level of confidence with the workgroup.
* Understanding the necessity of keeping team members engaged and the importance of providing new opportunities and challenges to individuals while allowing them to maintain a comfortable work/life balance.
This position is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.


The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in plant molecular genetics or an MS with several years of experience in a molecular breeding lab setting. The incumbent should have an understanding of plant breeding and the ability to interact with commercial canola breeders and other molecular breeding scientists to ensure that projects are aligned with the needs of the business. Experience with the work associated with a MAS lab, including the ability to troubleshoot equipment issues would be an asset.