Hippo Harvest Plant Scientist Pescadero, CA · Full time

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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 of 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 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’ll be responsible for designing and implementing experiments to improve yield and develop new growing strategies.

You Will

• Improve crop yields through large scale experiments with growth parameters, including nutrients, light, water levels, seeding densities, environmental set points, new seed varieties, etc.
• Analyze massive amounts of data on plant phenotyping and mirco-climates to understand plant performance.
• Start up new programs such as an organic product line or new leafy green crops.
• Collaborate with the sales team to develop new product categories.
• Work with roboticists and machine learning scientists to improve data collection and data processing.

You Have

• You have a PhD or masters with 2+ 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 (Python, R)
• Experience growing plants and the ability to identify growth issues (e.g. recognize deficiencies, pests, etc.)
• Knowledge of greenhouse production best practices including, but not limited to, IPM strategies and food safety standards
• 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 $125k-$155k 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