R&D Grower

About the job

About Sensei Ag

Sensei Ag is a market-changing AgTech company aiming to solve global gaps and inconsistencies in nutrition, food safety, and food security through the transformative power of data. Guided by the capabilities and insights of our founders, technology entrepreneur Larry Ellison and Dr. David Agus, we design, develop and deploy cutting-edge agricultural technologies to build a better, more stable food supply that is capable of feeding our entire world nutritionally-relevant, delicious, affordable meals.

Everything we do is evidence-led, radically transparent, always enriching.

You can read our story here or see some recent press: Business Wire, Condé Nast Traveler

Position Description

In order to implement the Sensei Ag mission, joining a team of CEA and plant biology experts, and reporting to the Global Controlled Environment Research Lead, the R&D Grower will oversee the day to day R&D growing operations for multiple crops in a glass house controlled environment. The successful candidate will supervise all aspects of growing fresh fruits and vegetables from planting, cultivation and harvesting of the crops to managing the implementation of technical procedures within the high-technology greenhouse environment. The supported research is an integral part of Sensei Ag’s business goals to become a leader in the Indoor Ag industry.

Bringing domain expertise in plant science and precision agriculture, the company’s core mission is to be a good farmer and grow a variety of sustainable, nourishing, accessible produce for all, pushing the limits to what food is currently available through CEA and establishing the Sensei Farms brand with customers and consumers. Environmental, climate, economic and market factors will inform the growing approach and subsequent R&D or utilization of the most appropriate growing structures, systems and technologies for the desired crops, location and commercial goals, commensurate with the corporate “buy, adapt, partner, or invent” hierarchy of technology sourcing strategies.

Sensei Ag’s unprecedented business and capital model, product suite, (consumer retail in-store units, seeds, software, robotics and indoor farms) and financing provide a unique environment and opportunity to shape the future of agriculture and tackle the CEA market holistically, not one segment at a time to compete with conventional farming.

This individual has a minimum of 5 years of experience as a successful Grower in a high-tech glass greenhouse environment. A strong understanding of plant growth and physiology and interaction with varying environmental conditions is essential. They will be familiar with Priva, or similar advanced computer software, and advanced horticultural practices. The successful candidate will have strong communication skills in English, written and oral. The ability to speak Spanish is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• • Work closely with R&D staff to understand and implement research protocols.
  • Provide insight and input for opportunities to improve plant performance in collaboration with R&D
  • staff.
  • Maintain plant health by ensuring climate, irrigation, fertilization targets are met.
  • Design and implement an appropriate and compliant IPM program for R&D controlled environment space.
  • Oversee, train and assist research assistants and technicians who execute experimental protocols, including maintaining plant health and collecting phenotypic and environmental data.
  • Proactively ensure supply of seedlings and materials for experiments.
  • Write and update SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) as required and associated documentation
  • Ensure proper hygiene and safety protocols are followed by team.

Requirements

• • Ability to work in Canada
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture or a related discipline (plant sciences or horticulture preferred) and high-tech glass greenhouse growing experience is considered a strong asset.
  • 5+ years’ experience in protected agriculture, with a strong emphasis in precision horticulture
  • Experience in executing R&D experiments, collecting and entering data desired.
  • Ability to with databases, entering data and creating reports desired.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit — someone who can simultaneously think big, but also grounded in the immediate, practical, get-stuff-done mindset of a startup.
  • Ability to be on call outside of standard work hours
  • Proven ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment.
  • Effective interpersonal relations, exceptional communicator and ability to rapidly adapt and respond to changing priorities.

Preferred Skills And Abilities

• • Experience growing vegetable or fruiting crops in controlled environments (high tech greenhouses or vertical farms).
  • Familiarity with environmental optimization in controlled environment systems
  • Experience working in a research environment.

Traits We Value

• Appreciation for transforming health and the future of food
• Loves a good challenge
• Resourceful and adaptable
• A strong sense of curiosity
• Embraces feedback and continually seeks to improve
• Collaborative and knows how to get things done as part of a team