Field Scientist

About The Role

We are seeking a Field Scientist to join the Integrated Field Sciences (IFS) team within Crop Health R&D in India.

The Field Scientist will be responsible for planning, executing, evaluating and interpreting field research programs supporting the development and commercialization of crop protection products, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, biologicals and other innovative technologies.

The role will have strong ownership of field biology, product performance evaluation and generation of high-quality scientific data to support product discovery, development, regulatory registration, technical positioning, commercialization and lifecycle management.

The Field Scientist will also serve as a technical/scientific expert for assigned crops, pests, diseases, weeds and/or product technologies, working closely with global and regional R&D teams as well as Regulatory, Product Development, Commercial, Marketing, Agronomy and other functions.

A significant component of the role will be managing and supervising regulatory bio-efficacy and residue studies through CROs, universities and ICAR/research institutions, ensuring delivery of scientifically robust and regulatory-compliant data.

Key Responsibilities

• Field Research & Experimental Development
• Plan, design and execute field research programs aligned with project and business objectives.
• Contribute to the development of protocols for concept evaluation, product development and biological characterization.
• Design and conduct internal field trials to evaluate efficacy, crop safety, dose response, application timing, application methods and product performance.
• Identify appropriate trial locations, crops, target pests/diseases/weeds and experimental approaches.
• Evaluate trials scientifically and ensure timely, accurate and high-quality data generation.
• Identify opportunities to improve experimental design, trial methodology, data quality and research efficiency.
• Regulatory & External Trial Management
• Plan, coordinate and supervise regulatory bio-efficacy and residue trials conducted through CROs, universities, ICAR institutes and other research organizations.
• Ensuring protocols, trial execution, data collection, documentation and reporting meet applicable regulatory and Corteva standards.
• Monitor trial progress, data quality, timelines and deliverables.
• Coordinate sample collection, sample logistics and analytical requirements associated with regulatory studies.
• Support preparation and review of regulatory efficacy reports, data summaries and technical documentation.
• Scientific Data Analysis & Interpretation
• Analyze and interpret field research data using appropriate statistical and scientific approaches.
• Integrate data from multiple locations, seasons, environments and research partners to develop meaningful biological insights.
• Translate experimental results into clear scientific conclusions, recommendations and business-relevant insights.
• Prepare trial summaries, technical reports, presentations and recommendations for internal stakeholders.
• Provide recommendations on product performance, dose, application timing, positioning and technical differentiation.
• Product Development & Commercialization Support
• Provide field-science inputs to product development and lifecycle-management decisions.
• Monitor product technical performance across geographies, crops and target pests/diseases/weeds.
• Identify emerging biological challenges, resistance issues, competitive developments and opportunities for new research.
• Support the Commercial and Technical teams in addressing product-performance-related complaints and providing appropriate scientific/technical guidance.
• Support product launches, technical positioning, field demonstrations and knowledge-transfer activities as required.
• Stakeholder & External Collaboration
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with universities, ICAR institutes, CROs, research organizations and relevant industry stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively with Global and Regional R&D, Regulatory, Product Development, Commercial, Marketing, Agronomy and other cross-functional teams.
• Represent IFS/Corteva in relevant scientific and technical forums when required.
• Proactively communicate technical risks, opportunities, trial outcomes and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Safety, Stewardship & Compliance
• Ensure all field research activities are conducted in accordance with Corteva's safety, quality, stewardship, regulatory and ethical standards.
• Maintain a strong personal and team safety culture during field operations, product handling, transportation and trial execution.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, data integrity and compliance throughout the research process.
• Demonstrate strong commitment to responsible use and stewardship of crop protection technologies.
• Administrative & Operational Responsibilities
• Manage field research activities within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Coordinate procurement, sample movement, trial materials and other operational requirements.
• Maintain accurate trial documentation and research records.
• Complete administrative and reporting requirements associated with assigned projects.
• Effectively manage multiple projects and priorities across the assigned geography.
• Skills & Competencies
• Strong scientific knowledge of crop protection, agronomy and agricultural production systems.
• Expertise in field trial design, execution, evaluation and statistical interpretation.
• Strong understanding of experimental design and biological data analysis.
• Ability to convert complex field data into clear scientific conclusions and actionable recommendations.
• Strong project management and execution capability.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple research programs and external partners.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in dynamic field environments.
• Excellent scientific writing, presentation and communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills.
• Ability to influence and work effectively across global, regional and cross-functional teams.
• Strong safety, quality, stewardship and compliance mindset.
• High degree of ownership, accountability, curiosity and learning agility.
• Willingness to work extensively in the field and travel across India.

Qualifications & Experience

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, preferably in Entomology, Plant Pathology, Agronomy or a closely related discipline.
• 7–10 years of relevant experience in crop protection research, preferably with a reputed crop protection/agricultural science organization.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and evaluating crop protection field trials.
• Experience working with CROs, universities, ICAR institutes or other external research organizations is highly desirable.
• Experience in regulatory efficacy and/or residue trials will be an advantage.
• Experience with statistical analysis and scientific data interpretation.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in field environments.
• Willingness to undertake extensive travel across India.
• Strong willingness and flexibility toward geographical/locational mobility based on organizational and business needs.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:

• Delivery of high-quality, scientifically robust field data within agreed timelines.
• Effective execution of internal and regulatory research programs.
• Strong scientific interpretation leading to better product-development decisions.
• High-quality regulatory data supporting successful product registration and label development.
• Effective technical support for product positioning and commercialization.
• Strong management of CROs and external research partners.
• Identification of emerging biological, technical and market opportunities.
• Consistent demonstration of Corteva's standards for safety, stewardship, scientific integrity and collaboration.