Description

Who are we, and what do we do?
Grow what’s next. Grow your future. Corteva Agriscience is the world leader in the agricultural biotechnology industry including the discovery, development and delivery of elite crop genetics, crop protection and digital solutions. Our Research Automation and Engineering team is looking for a proactive, business partner centric R&D Automation Engineer to join the team located in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. 

Research Automation & Engineering is dedicated to the successful conception, design, development, integration and support of novel machines and instruments, scientific laboratory automation, process engineering improvements, industrial automation and other enabling technologies. Leveraging the most current tools and technologies, RAE delivers against a unique and broad portfolio, providing staff significant opportunity to work with a diversity of projects, skills, and domains.

The qualified candidate will successfully build and maintain partnerships across the scientific community to deliver Research efficiency via novel, innovative, and cost-effective automation & instrumentation solutions for Corteva’s Research labs.  The successful candidate will also collaborate closely with the Automation & Instrumentation Support team to collectively support production systems.  This role requires a strong focus on analytical chemistry and process chemistry automation & instrumentation, including but not limited to chemistry automation/instrumentation vendor evaluation, developing and integrating chemistry automation systems from a software and hardware perspective, project management and leadership across disciplines (e.g. facilities, safety, research, etc.). The candidate will work both independently in a team setting, in collaboration with current team members and processes, and closely with their science business partners and technology vendors. 

Responsibilities:
How will you help us grow? It matters to us, and it matters to you!

• Partner with Corteva research chemistry labs to gain a firm understanding of workflows.
• Assess research requests for proposals and design the optimal technical solution in conjunction with research staff including protocol/throughput scaling, instrument specifications and system layout review. 
• Design, develop, build, deploy, and support new custom lab automation & instrumentation solutions, and adapt existing systems to meet scientific requirements. Provide training and documentation to scientists and support team.
• Collaborate with external OEM vendors – e.g. Hamilton, Tecan, Agilent, Mettler Toledo, Retisoft, etc. to specify and source equipment.
• Coordinate relationships with external engineering consulting/contracting firms for complex system and laboratory designs.
• Develop protocols including liquid handling and robotic work cell scheduling. 
• Partner with software development teams to integrate laboratory automation equipment with LIMS and other laboratory data systems.
• Develop safety protocols and perform safety evaluations of both custom build automation as well as off the shelf automation solutions.
• Leverage traditional support skills in collaboration with the support team to resolve issues such as mechanical, electrical and software related issue.
• Scout for new automation technology and trends that can be leveraged by Corteva.
• Engage in continual learning/training, providing cutting edge expertise
• Work in a business casual environment with flexible work/life opportunities.

Qualifications

Requirements:
What expertise have you grown? What do you bring to the table?

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical) or Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry discipline with 3-5 years of solid proven experience with lab automation and instrumentation implementation, development, and support.
• Strong understanding of laboratory processes and applications relative to analytical chemistry and process chemistry, including High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE) and Design of Experiments (DoE).
• Strong understanding of software for automation, creative collection of data from devices and in collaborating with software development teams to bring data to and from instrumentation.
• Strong problem solving, collaboration, communication, customer service and time management skills.
• Self-motivated and work well with others in a cross-functional team environment.
• Knowledge and experience relative to safety and health
• Possess strong communication, documentation, and training skills
• Ability adapt and gain new technical skills for a continual and rapidly changing research environment.
• Have the right to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Community:
We care about you and we care that you're comfortable. While there's no place like home, Corteva comes close.

Benefits:
Let’s peek at how you can grow your wellbeing, health, and future at Corteva!
•    Strike a better worklife balance with robust time off benefits including paid maternity, paternal and family illness leave
•    Prepare for your future with our competitive retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement program, and more
•    Enjoy access to health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
•    And much, much more!

Ready to grow your perspectives, impact and career? Start by applying to this opportunity today!

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