Scientist, Forest Regeneration

About DroneSeed:Our mission is simple: Make reforestation scalable to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. DroneSeed is transforming a 300-million-acre global landscape deforested since the 1990s. It would take 300-years to replant this deficit with current tools. 
Our technology speeds up the process. DroneSeed uses heavy-lift drone swarms to reforest at scale after 🔥. We cut time to reforest from 3 years to 3 months. We’ve pioneered the drones and the backend required to operate swarms as a delivery solution over rough terrain. We survey sites and deliver to targeted areas of soil proprietary seed vessels that boost seed survival. Utilizing carbon credits, we double landowner investment in 18 months addressing the financial barriers to reforestation. 
Highlights:HQ: Ballard Brewery District, Seattle, WA Team: Grant Canary (CEO), Ben Reilly (CTO), John Hall (VP Ops & Finance), Cassie Meigs (Director, Account Management), Matthew Aghai (Sr. Director, Bio R&D), Arnoud de Villegas (Sr. Director, Business Development)Team Size: ~75Funding: $14M Pre Series A from Social Capital, Spero VC, Techstars (Series-A Update coming soon!)Market: $272B Carbon Credit Market (Refinitiv Analysis)Revenue: Data will be shared with qualified candidatesClients: 3 of 5 largest timber companies, The Nature Conservancy, Tribal Nations, the Bureau of Land ManagementMedia: CNN, Mark Rober, Today Show, Bloomberg, TechCrunch
What you’ll be doing: As a Scientist focused on temperate conifer forest regeneration, you will primarily be assisting with the development or refinement of prototypes for scalable seed enhancement/enablement technology for the restoration of select native trees. Your role will require you to have a deep understanding of seed biology and plant physiology, but also some community ecology and biogeochemistry to support your ability to facilitate artificial regeneration product development. You will work under the guidance of the Director and with the Team Manager to evaluate materials, processes, and creative solutions for enhancing seed survival of temperate conifers following mechanical distribution. You will work on literature searches, through networks and partners in the private and public sector, and through thorough multifaceted experimentation to deliver data sets supporting guidance for product development. Your time will also be spent advising the company on best practices for artificial regeneration across forested ecosystems. See what the public progress we’ve already made or been mentioned in:
USDA Journal Tree Planters NotesChallenges to reforestation pipeline

Basic Qualifications:

• Passionate and self-motivated with a desire to stand on the shoulders of giants and innovate for the future of reforestation.
• Masters with 2+ year experience in the realm of applied biological sciences, natural resource management, ecology, forestry, or agriculture/horticulture.
• Experience in the areas of in situ regeneration, and ex situ laboratory, and greenhouse work for plant propagation.
• Experience developing, implementing, conducting vigor and stress testing protocols for seeds/plants.
• Experience working with an interdisciplinary team on complex and multiphase projects.
• Proficiency with experimental design and implementation, data analysis and visualization.
• Excellent communication skills, both written for academic and lay-person reporting, as well as verbal for stakeholder communication.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent experience in the realm of applied biological sciences, natural resource management, ecology, forestry, or agriculture/horticulture.
• Experimental biologist having worked with seed-based propagation for applied revegetation/restoration projects.
• Background or experience with artificial regeneration and/or restoration of forested ecosystems.
• Engineering, materials science, and/or chemistry background.

Candidates should mention in any cover letter:

• Prior work in propagation in the field, lab, greenhouse environment and years of experience and responsibilities.
• Any prior academic publications.
• What motivated you to reach out to DroneSeed versus other opportunities. 

Benefits of working at DroneSeed:We're focused on making a positive impact on the environment.  We value a highly diverse team, have a supportive and collaborative office culture conveniently located in north Seattle (Ballard). Taking care of your health comes first. We cover 75% of your medical, dental, and vision premiums.  We have a flexible vacation policy, so take the time off you need; we don’t track vacation or sick time.
Other Information:Candidates must be eligible to work at DroneSeed HQ in the Ballard Brewery District of Seattle, WA. DroneSeed is an equal-opportunity employer and we are committed to building a diverse team.  If you’re deeply committed to our mission and ready to bring your problem solving skills to difficult biological problems, we’d love to speak with you.