Associate Plant Scientist

Overview

Hippo Harvest is looking for a highly motivated and creative Associate Plant Scientist to develop and optimize plant performance in a data driven way using our unique robotic grow system designed for large scale experimentation and data collection. You will be responsible for understanding and optimizing current growing conditions. Together with other Plant Scientists and a Plant Technician, you will use data to design and implement experiments for improving yield, optimizing costs, and developing new growing strategies. Application review will begin in early October.

Description

In a world increasingly impacted by climate change, pollution, and population growth, conventional production of fresh vegetables is unsustainable. Hippo Harvest designs hydroponic grow systems from the ground up for simplicity, robotic automation, and machine learning to build sustainable, economical, and scalable production systems for the future. Compared to field production, greenhouse hydroponic methods use 90% less water, increase yields, reduce food waste, use fewer pesticides, eliminate fertilizer runoff, and allow crops to be grown locally. Hippo Harvest is looking for a highly motivated and creative Associate Plant Scientist to develop and optimize plant performance in a data driven way using our unique robotic grow system designed for large scale experimentation and data collection. You will be responsible for understanding and optimizing current growing conditions. Together with other Plant Scientists and a Plant Technician, you will use data to design and implement experiments for improving yield, optimizing costs, and developing new growing strategies. 

You Will

• Analyze massive amounts of phenotypic and environmental data to understand plant performance and optimize unit economics
• Collaborate with roboticists and machine learning scientists to improve data collection for crop growth models 
• Optimize growspace controls and setpoints in a data driven manner
• Improve and expand IPM current strategies
• Manage organic and conventional nutrient delivery systems

You Have

• You have an MS with 2 years of experience or BS with 5 years of experience in Plant Biology, Plant Physiology, Horticulture, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in experimental design and execution
• Strong data processing, analysis, and visualization skills (SQL, Python, R)
• Experience growing plants and the ability to identify growth issues (e.g. recognize deficiencies, pests, etc.)
• Experience in greenhouse production best practices including, but not limited to, IPM strategies and food safety standards
• A desire to troubleshoot and understand systems
• A willingness to learn and an openness to questioning traditional methods

We Offer

• An exciting and fun work environment where your contributions will make a true difference
• Competitive salary from $85k-$125k based on level
• Full benefits package including six weeks of paid vacation, medical/dental/vision/life insurance, twelve weeks of paid parental leave, 401k, company stock options

Salary

$85,000 - $125,000 per year