Senior Research Director

**Principal Scientist in Bioformulations**

As a Principal Scientist, you will play a key role in leading our research teams and developing cutting-edge products for soil health, plant nutrition, and crop protection.

• Leadership and Strategic Planning:
  • Develop and implement a strategic vision for the organization aligned with business goals and customer needs.
  • Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team of scientists and researchers, fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Drive the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel products targeted at global markets.
  • Own and manage technical teams to ensure end-to-end delivery of product pipelines—from early development through commercialization.
• Research and Development Management:
  • Oversee the design, execution, and analysis of experiments and studies related to the bioformulations segment, ensuring scientific rigor and regulatory compliance.
  • Manage research projects, timelines, and budgets to ensure efficient resource use and timely milestone completion.
  • Develop novel bio-based formulations for crop improvement and protection.
  • Lead the design and development of bioinputs including biofertilizers, PGPR, biocontrol agents, biostimulants, etc.
  • Oversee patent filing, review research publications, and ensure protection of intellectual property.
  • Identify novel active ingredients such as peptides, metabolites, botanical extracts, hormones, and their agricultural applications.
  • Develop scalable production methods for active ingredients and their formulations.
  • Drive soil microbiome engineering initiatives to enhance crop productivity.
  • Apply advanced plant molecular biology techniques to support R&D activities.
  • Prepare and ensure execution of established methods and SOPs.
  • Deliver high-quality results on schedule and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Cross-functional Collaboration:
  • Collaborate closely with other internal departments to facilitate seamless product development and commercialization.
  • Provide scientific expertise and leadership in product development strategy, seeking innovation and market differentiation opportunities.
  • Foster collaboration with external stakeholders including academic institutions, research organizations, and regulatory agencies to accelerate product development.
• Regulatory Compliance and Intellectual Property:
  • Ensure adherence to all applicable regulatory requirements and guidelines.
  • Develop and implement processes to safeguard intellectual property, including patent application preparation and submission.
• Global Representation and Technical Collaborations:
  • Represent the organization at conferences, seminars, and technical forums to demonstrate scientific expertise and achievements.
  • Establish and maintain strategic collaborations with scientific organizations, research institutions, and industry partners to advance technologies and maintain thought leadership.
  • Act as a global ambassador by building and nurturing relationships with key opinion leaders, industry experts, and regulatory authorities.
• Team Development and Talent Management:
  • Recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing team of scientists and researchers specializing in bioformulations.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and implement talent retention and succession planning strategies.
  • Promote a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and continuous learning within the organization.

Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Crop Science, Agricultural Biotechnology, Agri-input Science, or related fields.
• Minimum 12 years of postdoctoral experience in Agri-biotech companies or biotechnology industries focused on Agri-input formulations.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing novel bio-based formulations for crop improvement and protection.
• Experience working with multiple active ingredients in agri-input bioformulations.
• Strong command of fundamental plant molecular biology techniques.
• Proven ability to lead highly skilled teams in fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and technical environments.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, able to clearly convey technical information to various audiences.