Corn Breeding Scientist

Role Purpose

The Corn Breeder will lead and execute a breeding program focused on the development of competitive, high-yielding, and stable corn commercial hybrids adapted to Central-North and Northern Argentina. The role requires close collaboration with a regional and global Corteva Seed Product Development, breeding analytics, and product development network, ensuring alignment with global strategies while addressing local agronomic, environmental, and market needs.

The successful candidate will contribute directly to deliver commercial genetic gain, pipeline advancement, and germplasm enhancement, supporting Corteva’s leadership in the Southern Cone corn markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and continuously improve a corn breeding strategy targeting Central-North and Northern Argentina.
• Develop elite hybrid and inbred line pipelines emphasizing yield, stability, stress tolerance (drought and heat), disease resistance, agronomic fitness, and adaptability.
• Plan, execute, and evaluate multi‑environment breeding trials across relevant geographies, while applying modern quantitative breeding approaches.
• Collaborate with breeding analytics and data science teams to leverage and develop predictive tools, genomic selection, and decision support systems.
• Work closely with regional and global breeders, breeding leads, trait teams, phenotyping, analytics, and seed production.
• Contribute to regional and international germplasm exchange, reviews, and technical forums.
• Partner with Agronomy, Marketing, and Commercial teams to ensure breeding outputs align with customer and market needs.
• Promote a culture of safety, ethics, and compliance, ensuring all breeding activities meet Corteva and regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical mentoring or guidance to junior scientists, technicians, and collaborators as needed.
  
  

Job Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, Crop Science, or a closely related discipline. Industry experience may compensate for advanced degree requirements in exceptional cases.
• 5+ years (MSc) or 3+ years (PhD) of applied experience in corn breeding, preferably within commercial or advanced pre‑commercial programs.
• Strong understanding of: quantitative genetics and breeding theory, hybrid breeding pipeline design and execution, and G×E analysis and environmental characterization
• Experience using statistical or breeding analysis tools.
• Familiarity with genomic tools, marker‑assisted or genomic selection is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work effectively within large, matrixed, international R&D organizations.
• Strong problem‑solving, prioritization, and decision‑making skills.
• Clear scientific communication skills in both collaborative and leadership settings.
• Fluent Spanish and English (written and spoken).
• Willingness to travel domestically within Argentina and occasionally internationally.
• The selected candidate must reside in Córdoba, Argentina.
  
  

Benefits

• OSDE 310 health insurance
• Company car and tools required for the role
• Performance‑based target bonus
• Wellhub (gym and wellness program)
• 3 weeks of vacation
• Career development opportunities
• And much more!
  
  

Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.