About the Opportunity

The Global Plant Health Department supports our breeders, nursery, growers, applied research and production staff through discipline-based research and extension. Key Department functions include partnership with our breeders in developing and deploying host resistance, research into best disease management practices, diagnosis and providing recommendations for integrated disease management, supporting our nurseries through clean stock program design, auditing, and testing for pathogens and off-types.

Responsibilities

•   Lead the global work across all four berry crops to address key plant pathogens using molecular methods.
•   Conduct basic and applied research in the following areas: fungal, bacterial, and viral detection following established microbiological, molecular and serological assays (RPA, qPCR, HRM, ELISA), whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
•   Develop, optimize, and validate novel in-house and published assays for new and emerging berry pathogens in both nursery and fruit production systems. 
•   Other methods to increase our knowledge of the population biology, pathogenicity and virulence of important berry pathogens will also be employed. 
•   Provide molecular diagnostic training and support to allied colleagues in all business units as well as collaborating external diagnostic labs.

Candidate Profile

•   A Ph.D. in Plant Pathology or closely related field is required. 
•   Demonstrated knowledge in plant-pathogen interactions, including experience with multiple pathogens and/or pests in agricultural crops.
•   Experience with and demonstrated expertise in molecular lab techniques, including nucleic acid extractions, purification, and sample preparation for various diagnostic and sequencing applications.
•   Experience with and demonstrated expertise in DNA/RNA manipulations, PCR assays (traditional and quantitative), ELISA, gel and sequence analysis, with the ability to report results to stakeholders.
•   Experience with and demonstrated expertise in sequence interpretation and bioinformatics pipelines required for genome analyses and species identification.
•   Strong experimental design, data collection and analysis skills.  
•   Experience growing and maintaining plants for experiments.
•   Evidence of the ability to achieve results independently and as part of a team.
•   Excellent communication and presentation skills required.
•   Bilingual English / Spanish communication skills would be a plus, but is not required.
•   California driver’s license and the ability to be covered under company-sponsored vehicle insurance program are also required. 
•   A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally without restrictions is also required.
•   Highly self-motivated, with a strong interest in working with and becoming knowledgeable about plants and berry pathogens is necessary.
•   Previous experience with berry crop pathology a plus, but not required. 
•   Knowledge of mycology and fungal or bacterial taxonomy is a plus. 

Compensation and Benefits

The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors.

Salary range estimated for the Molecular Plant Pathologist Senior Scientist in the United States: $97,452.20/year to $145,691.00.

Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include: 401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). More detailed information regarding the benefits package, will be shared during the application process.

About Driscolls

Driscoll's is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll's is passionate about growing fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.

Driscoll's exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.

Driscoll's is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.

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Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo.

Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro.

Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.