Seed Production Agronomist

Job Title: Seed Production Agronomist

Location: Watsonville CA (preferred) OR South San Francisco

Reports To: Seed Production Lead  

Job Type: Full-Time

The Seed Production Agronomist leads research programs that improve seed yield, genetic purity, quality, and production efficiency. This role sits at the intersection of plant biology, agronomy, and operations, and executes experiments across greenhouse and field environments, converts findings into scalable production practices, and partners closely with Breeding, Agronomy, Operations, and Quality to ensure reliable, high-performing seed production systems.

Key Responsibilities

Research Strategy & Experimental Leadership

• Design and lead multi-season research plans focused on seed production constraints and opportunities (e.g., seed set, flowering synchronization, fertility, harvest timing, shattering, dormancy).
• Build robust DOE (Design of Experiments) and field trial plans; define success metrics and sampling strategies.
• Translate production challenges into testable hypotheses and deliver validated recommendations.

Seed Production Process Development and Protocol Optimization and SOPs on

• Pollination and isolation (controlled pollination, isolation distances/barriers, temporal isolation)
• Flowering and reproductive management (synchrony, fertility, pollen viability, stress responses)
• Harvest and post-harvest handling (maturity indices, drying, threshing/extraction, cleaning, storage)
• Improve seed lot outcomes including purity, moisture targets, germination, vigor, and storability.

Data Analysis, Interpretation & Communication

• Analyze experimental data using appropriate statistical tools; quantify effect sizes, variability, and operational tradeoffs.
• Produce clear technical reports, SOPs, and decision-ready summaries for cross-functional stakeholders.
• Present findings and influence adoption of improved practices in production settings.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Scale-Up

• Partner with Breeding to align production methods with germplasm characteristics (e.g., hybrid systems, male sterility, parental line behavior).
• Collaborate with Agronomy and Production teams to transition methods from R&D plots → pilot → commercial scale.
• Support troubleshooting of real-time production issues; recommend interventions grounded in data.

Quality, Compliance & Stewardship

• Ensure best practices for genetic stewardship, contamination prevention, and traceability.
• Maintain high-quality documentation (notebooks, protocols, datasets, sample tracking).
• Follow biosafety, phytosanitary, and regulated material handling procedures as applicable.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• BS in Plant Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Genetics, Biology, or related discipline with significant commercial experience; MS preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing plant research trials (greenhouse and/or field) with rigorous data collection.
• Strong understanding of seed production fundamentals: reproductive biology, pollination, seed development, maturity, and seed quality.
• Direct experience in seed production R&D (hybrid or OP systems; row crops, vegetables, forages, or specialty crops).
• Familiarity with production-scale constraints and process control (sampling plans, SOP validation, QC thresholds).
• Proficiency with experimental design and statistics; ability to use tools such as R, Python, JMP, or equivalent.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate technical results into operational recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing seasonal timelines and deliver results on schedule.
• Expertise in seed quality testing (standard germination, vigor, TZ, purity, moisture, seed health/pathology).
• Expertise in seed quality testing (standard germination, vigor, TZ, purity, moisture, seed health/pathology).
• Experience with GxE impacts on flowering, seed set, and maturation; multi-location trialing.
• Knowledge of LIMS/data pipelines and reproducible analysis workflows.
• Comfortable working in office / lab, greenhouse, and seasonal field work settings.
• Willingness to adjust hours during critical windows (pollination, harvest, sample processing).

The anticipated pay range that we reasonably expect to pay for this role is $100,000 - $130,000 for Watsonville, CA. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience, education, skillset, and other relevant qualifications. 

About Ohalo: 

Ohalo™ aims to accelerate evolution to unlock nature's potential. Founded in 2019, Ohalo develops novel breeding systems and improved plant varieties that help farmers grow more food with fewer natural resources, increasing the yield, resiliency, and genetic diversity of crops to sustainably feed our population. Ohalo's breakthrough technology, Boosted Breeding™, will usher in a new era of improved productivity to radically transform global agriculture. For more information, visit www.ohalo.com.

Notes: If you previously applied for a job at Ohalo Genetics, we encourage you to restate your interest in the position by submitting your application.

Ohalo is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Ohalo is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

No visa sponsorship is available for this position at this time. 

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