Plant Physiologist

In Nestlé R&D, we are committed to developing innovative food, drink and nutritional products to improve quality of life and contribute to a healthier future.

The 3,900 people who work for us around the world - from scientists and engineers to regulatory experts and chefs - are key to our success. Research contributes to the company's growth and enables the rapid development of products and services that benefit our consumers and our planet.

The Nestlé R&D Center located in the Loire Valley in Tours (France), is part of the Nestlé Institute of Agricultural Sciences within the Nestlé Research Organization whose main center is located in Lausanne, Switzerland. Nestlé Research combines fundamental science at the highest level, high-end analytical platforms leveraged by all research teams, and strong capabilities to accelerate the translation of science into innovation. The Plant Science team builds knowledge on strategic crops with the aim of developing new plant materials in order to deliver quality products through better and sustainable farming.

**What we offer at Nestlé**
- Nestlé R&D Center - Tours (France)
- Full-time contract
- Genuine opportunities for career and personal development
- Modern “smart office” locations providing agile & collaborative workspaces
- Dynamic international working environment
- Attractive package, caring management, flexible working hours or remote work, allow you to evolve in a pleasant environment. You benefit from training throughout your career, aimed at promoting your development towards different roles within the Group.

Joining Nestlé, it is being part of the First Center of expertise in the Food industry, an inclusive community, supportive and virtuous. You will find respect and consideration to develop yourself at different level.

**Context**:
As part of its strategy, Nestlé is addressing the question of the sustainability of the green coffee production in a changing environment. The release of new coffee varieties able to cope with a challenging climate is required from the breeding programs. To accelerate, Nestlé invests in R&D programs about the coffee plant development and hires a research specialist based in our Plant Science Unit of Tours, France.

**The role**:
As a plant scientist hosted in the Coffee & Cocoa department, you will propose, design, and implement experimental trials to create and develop new protocols and tools related to the study of the coffee plant development under controlled environment. You will integrate a project that will evaluate the impact of climatic conditions, lighting, and fertilization on the plant development. You will assess the adequation between the research objectives and the technical feasibilities and perform a technological survey in the domain of the plant culture systems. You will deploy in the greenhouses and the growth chamber your skills in horticulture and plant physiology to conduct the research. You will be able to provide technical solutions and recommendations based on data-driven conclusions.

As a dynamic project manager, you will ensure the quality of the deliverables, as well as timelines and costs planification. You will coordinate with the technical and scientific teams to deploy the research activities, and possibly will have to look for external partnerships. As part of the group strategy, you will take care of the intellectual property that could be generated through the research and will update a regular risks and opportunities assessment. Thanks to your good communication and interpersonal skills you will animate meetings and ensure presentations and reports to promote the project internally as well as externally.

**Profile**:

- PhD / master degree with experience in plant science, physiology, plant development, horticulture
- Expertise in plants growth management, plant nutrition and responses to environmental conditions. Previous experience with perennial plants appreciated.
- Skills in managing plant culture systems and growth technology in greenhouse and phytotron.
- Confirmed practice of experimental design and data collection (phenotyping)
- Practice of Project management
- Dynamic and enthusiastic team worker
- Developed communication skills in English

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We are signatory of the Diversity Charter and the Charter of l’Autre Cercle.