Crop Physiologist – Job Description

Crop Physiologist – Job Description
The Company
AeroFarms is dedicated to enabling local production at commercial scale in different markets
throughout the world. Specifically, we are focused on developing local farms that grow flavorful,
safe, pesticide-free produce that can be easily traced from farm to fork through a simple and
transparent supply chain. As we scale, we are looking for dedicated people who can help us
address our global food crisis and fundamentally transform agriculture.
AeroFarms is building a brand new state-of-the-art facility in Newark, NJ that will be the world’s
largest indoor vertical farm for leafy greens and herbs and will serve the NY Metro area. To
support substantial interest from national retailers, AeroFarms plans a significant scaling of the
business, including facilities in additional cities in the near-term. In addition to North America, the
company also has farms under development in other regions of the world.
Role
AeroFarms is the commercial leader in vertical controlled environment agriculture and is seeking
an intellectually curious, outside the box problem solver. Able to question what you were taught
about growing and learn a new language in the art of science of growing. This position will allow
you to work on cutting edge solutions around influencing crop yields, flavor and nutritional
density. You will collaborate with leading engineers and scientists in multiple fields. You will work
in a high pace collaborative and fun team environment. You will build upon a culture where
assumptions are challenged and team members hold each other accountable.
The ideal candidate will have multiple years experience working with soil and soilless agriculture,
ideally proficient in growing in closed systems with or without natural light. You will look for
continuous improvement opportunities for innovative farming technologies. You should have a
proven record for commercial growing for different varieties, ideally including baby leafy greens
and herbs, with consistent production and delivery of high quality plants and produce year-round.
Responsibilities
 5+ years experience in horticulture space (hydroponics/aeroponics work necessary)
 Experience with controlled environment systems, including hydroponics, growing systems,
and environmental control systems (e.g. Argus, Priva), preferably in a multi-level
environment.
 Through knowledge of plant growing, disease prevention, and pest remediation,
especially IPM principles.
 Experience growing in a closed environment (e.g. greenhouse)
 Ability to perform physical activity: lifting (up to 100 lbs. assisted); carrying (50 lbs.).
 Must have a valid driver’s license.
 Must have appropriate work authorization papers.
 Familiarity with Microsoft Office – Excel, Word, PowerPoint
 Masters degree in plant science related field.
 Passionate about helping people care about their food
Qualification and Desired Skills
 Experience in growing baby greens, micro greens, living lettuces and herbs.
 Experience with scheduling planting and cropping to meet customer demand.
 Ability to instruct team on controls systems, fertilization, CO2, water, power, and
environmental control. Experience in food safety and HACCP protocols and auditing
practices.
 Comfortable working longer hours and being on call to attend to the farm holidays and
weekends if necessary.
 License to operate heavy machinery.
Management and Growing Duties
 Growing:
o Manage year-round production planning.
o Execute appropriate crop rotations, pest management, irrigation, fertilization,
harvesting, and other cultivating techniques.
o Take responsibility for and manage growing conditions and nutrient mixes for
optimal production that enhances taste, nutrition, speed of crop turnover and
overall quality.
 Management:
o Work with marketing and operations teams to determine crops to be grown.
o Confer with management to report conditions, plan planting and harvesting
schedules, and to discuss changes in fertilizer, herbicides, or cultivating techniques.
o Train employees in horticultural techniques, such as germinating propagating,
harvesting, and grading & packing.
o Keep up to date with developments and interests in the market and on other
developments in horticulture applicable to company progress and excellence.
 Record Keeping
o Keep detailed records of all harvested produce as well as all production budgets.
o Provide detailed analysis of production records to meet marketing and
management needs.
Contact
We look forward to hearing back from you. Please contact us at [email protected] with your
resume and cover letter.