Scientist, Rangeland Restoration

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 Rangeland Restoration, you will primarily be assisting with the development or refinement of prototypes for scalable seed enhancement/enablement technology for the restoration of select native tree and plant communities. Ideally, you are a seed specialist as your role will require a deep understanding of seed biology and plant physiology, but also some community ecology and biogeochemistry. 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 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 rangeland ecosystems.

Basic Qualifications:

• Masters with 2+ year experience in the realm of applied biological sciences, natural resource management, ecology, rangeland management, restoration, or agriculture/horticulture
• A deep understanding of seed biology and plant physiology
• Experience in the areas of laboratory, greenhouse, and field work for plant propagation
• Experience developing, implementing, conducting vigor and stress testing protocols for seeds/plants
• Experience working with interdisciplinary team on complex and multiphase projects
• Proficiency with experimental design and implementation, data analysis and visualization
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Passionate and self-motivated with a penchant for innovation

Preferred Qualifications:

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

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 teams focused on multi-vehicle, heavy-lift drone operations in some of the world’s most challenging terrain environments, we’d love to speak with you.