Senior Research Scientist - New Zealand

About the role

As a Field Scientist, you will be accountable for the design, execution, and delivery of field trial programs that evaluate the performance of new and existing crop protection products across New Zealand. Working closely with regional and global R&D teams, you'll generate high-quality data, translate insights into actionable recommendations, and contribute directly to product development and registration strategies. This is a highly collaborative role where you'll work across cross-functional teams, including Marketing, Regulatory, and Customer Agronomy, while also engaging with external research partners and industry stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of field trial programs, including protocol design, regulatory compliance, execution, and data analysis
• Design and conduct internal small-plot trials, ensuring technical accuracy and high data integrity
• Collaborate with Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and oversee externally managed trials
• Analyse and interpret trial data, delivering clear insights and recommendations on product performance
• Contribute to regional and global data summaries and support the development of registration dossiers
• Provide technical expertise to support product positioning, market development, and launch readiness
• Partner with cross-functional teams to define local biological needs, product concepts, and business cases
• Support training and education initiatives for both internal teams and external customers
• Monitor industry trends, resistance issues, and competitor activity to inform strategy
• Represent Corteva within the NZ agricultural research and industry landscape
• What You Bring
• A degree in agricultural, biological or plant science (BSc, MSc or PhD preferred)
• At least 5 years' experience in crop protection, plant health, or related field research
• Strong expertise in field trial design, statistical methods, and data analysis
• Proven ability to translate technical data into clear insights and written reports (e.g., biological dossiers)
• A practical, solutions-oriented mindset with strong project management capability
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build relationships across industry
• A strong commitment to safety, stewardship, and compliance
• Travel Requirements
• This role involves regular travel across New Zealand to manage trial sites, engage with research partners, and support field-based activities. Occasional travel may also be required to support commercial teams and attend key meetings or field events.
• Why Join Corteva?
• Be part of a global leader in agriculture innovation
• Work on cutting-edge crop protection technologies
• Collaborate with world-class scientists and industry experts
• Contribute to sustainable agriculture outcomes in New Zealand
• Enjoy a supportive, safety-first culture with strong development opportunities

Benefits

Additional Information

Join Corteva Agriscience and help shape the future of crop protection in New Zealand. At Corteva, we're driven by a clear purpose: to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. We're looking for a highly capable Field Scientist to lead field trial programs and play a key role in bringing innovative crop protection solutions to life.

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