Crop Protection Researcher
Life Scientific | Dublin (Hybrid)
About Life Scientific
Crop protection doesn’t reward guesswork.
It rewards sharp science, disciplined execution, and products that work where it matters - in the field.
Life Scientific operates in a $250 billion global market, building high-quality, differentiated crop protection solutions through scientific precision and commercial clarity.
We don’t pursue innovation for curiosity’s sake.
We pursue it to solve real agronomic problems - profitably, responsibly, and at scale.
As our innovation pipeline expands, we are strengthening the biological backbone that ensures every concept we advance is grounded in agronomic reality.
The Opportunity
Great innovation in crop protection starts with one thing:
Understanding the problem properly.
This role exists to make sure we never build on weak biological foundations.
As Crop Protection Researcher, you will anchor Life Scientific’s innovation pipeline in rigorous agronomic and biological insight.
You will identify where existing solutions underperform.
You will evaluate combinations and strategies through the lens of resistance, mode of action and crop physiology.
You will design robust, hypothesis-driven trial programmes that generate data we can stand over.
You will not just run trials.
You will shape which ideas deserve to become products.
Acting as the biological authority within the Innovation Team, you will bridge internal science with CROs, academic experts and partners - ensuring we move forward with clarity, not optimism.
This role converts agronomic complexity into commercially viable product concepts.
This Role Is For You If You…
You are uncomfortable when biological claims aren’t backed by proper data.
You instinctively ask:
Is this agronomically meaningful?
Is resistance being properly addressed?
Is this robust across regions and conditions?
Are we solving the real problem - or just improving a dataset?
You enjoy digging into MoA, resistance patterns and crop physiology — and turning that into clear direction.
You are scientifically rigorous - but commercially aware.
You understand that “interesting” is not the same as “valuable.”
You are confident managing CROs and external experts — setting high standards and holding them.
You can translate complex biological insight into clear, actionable recommendations at stage gates.
You don’t overpromise.
You don’t overinterpret.
You let the data speak.
And you are energised by building something new - not maintaining legacy programmes.
What You’ll Do
Identify High-Impact Agronomic Opportunities
Identify and prioritise crop- and region-specific challenges where existing solutions underperform
Define clear, testable innovation briefs aligned with portfolio strategy
Ensure innovation targets meaningful, differentiated agronomic impact
Shape Robust Biological Strategy
Evaluate synergistic and complementary combinations across chemical and biological actives
Integrate MoA, resistance dynamics, crop physiology and safety into combination strategy
Embed resistance management principles early in product design
Design & Oversee Rigorous Trial Programmes
Develop hypothesis-driven glasshouse and field trial programmes
Manage CRO relationships to ensure high-quality, relevant and reliable data
Maintain high scientific standards in experimental design and data interpretation
Bridge Science and Commercial Reality
Partner closely with formulation, analytical, regulatory and portfolio teams
Translate biological data into clear development recommendations
Provide structured, evidence-based input at innovation stage gates
What You Bring
You have a strong scientific foundation in crop protection and the confidence to challenge assumptions when needed.
You bring:
MSc or PhD in Crop Protection, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, Entomology, Agronomy or related discipline
5+ years’ experience in crop protection R&D or product development
Proven experience managing CRO-led glasshouse and field programmes
Deep understanding of MoA, resistance mechanisms and regional agronomic variability
Experience collaborating with external experts or research partners
Desirable but not essential:
Experience across both chemical and biological crop protection
Familiarity with regulatory efficacy requirements
Understanding of commercial positioning within crop protection markets
Scientific rigour and judgement matter more than pedigree.
What Success Looks Like
Within 24–36 months, you will have:
Identified high-value agronomic innovation opportunities across priority crops and regions
Delivered robust biological data supporting 8–10 validated projects annually
Embedded resistance-aware, agronomically sound thinking into the innovation pipeline
Built strong credibility with CROs, external experts and internal stakeholders
Ensured that projects entering Development are biologically defensible and field-ready
Why Join Life Scientific?
Because here, science drives decisions.
You won’t be buried in incremental trial management.
You’ll influence which ideas become products.
You’ll operate at the intersection of biology, innovation and commercial strategy — within a scaling global business that expects rigour, not theatre.
It won’t be slow.
It won’t be bureaucratic.
But your work will shape products that end up in farmers’ fields around the world.
And that matters.
