Careers

Position Announcement – Study Director

The Study Director position will report directly to the Minor Use Foundation Executive Director. This position will be an integral part of the Foundation core team.

The Foundation’s Work

The Minor Use Foundation, Inc. (MUF) is a nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of New Jersey.  MUF conducts agricultural research, outreach, and capacity building with domestic and foreign partners.  MUF conducts research and policy projects to facilitate the safe registration of pesticides for minor use crops globally. The Foundation is committed to promoting economic growth, environmental sustainability, and facilitating the trade of nutritious crops. The mission of the Foundation includes the following:

• Facilitate global priority setting for pesticide research for minor uses
• Coordinate residue studies and existing data in order to obtain CODEX MRLs and maximize the impact of resources
• Enhance regulatory and research capacity in developing countries and ensure pesticides are used safely around the world    
• Support regional regulatory expert working groups and collaborate to address issues of regional importance

Duties

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

Independent Project Development (30%): 

Provide technical direction of MUF Magnitude of the Residue Studies that are performed by cooperating university and government scientists at various locations throughout the world. All aspects of the study must follow the provisions of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Federal Good Laboratory Practice regulations or OECD Good Laboratory Practice regulations as appropriate, and must develop data that will meet Codex requirements for the establishment of a Maximum Residue Limits. Specific duties include development of approx. 10 national research protocols (study plans) annually for MUF studies. Responsible for drafting and developing protocols after consultation with owners of the products, study scientists, and MUF technical staff. Must be able to balance needs of stakeholder suggestions in the development of the final product. Protocols must be prepared and authorized well in advance of target dates for research.

Project Coordination (30%): 

Direct and manage approx. 30 on-going MUF sponsored residue studies in various phases of completion. A typical MUF residue research project may involve multiple studies conducted in separate countries, with two to four field trials and one analytical trial per study.  In some cases, up to eight field trials (in total) may be needed to support a pesticide use, and in other cases, only one or two trials may be needed in a single study to provide supplementary data in order to meet Codex guidelines. The Study Director must feel comfortable working independently to direct many complex projects simultaneously, assisting scientists to successfully plan, conduct and report on MUF sponsored research with chemical and bio-based pesticides on specialty crops. The Study Director must promptly evaluate and approve all proposed modifications from the authorized research protocol. Must keep track of status of active studies, including knowledge when critical phases of research are planned/performed, when residue samples are shipped to the analytical laboratory, when samples are analyzed by the laboratory and when research reports are received. Communicate with numerous individuals to maintain involvement in all facets of the research. Also responsible to critically review and scientifically assess the data/data reports associated with the studies in a timely manner to ensure that the research was performed appropriately and according to protocol. Review includes the test substance application rates, application timing of the test substance, collection of adequate residue samples, appropriate storage of samples before and during shipping to the laboratory, and review of the analytical data including the analytical summary report. All findings of the Quality Assurance unit must be promptly addressed.

Data package development (30%):

Independently develop approx. 10 “submission ready” data packages annually utilizing established national (USEPA-OPPTS GUIDELINES) and/or international standards (e.g. UN FAO-Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues). Expectations are that the incumbent:

• Prepare a quality final report for each study that is easily reviewed by all parties (including Quality Assurance Unit, MUF Management, Cooperating Company, and JMPR). When something is missing, identify the gap, solicit information and/or data for performing facilities in order to close data gaps, then compose summaries and existing data/info in correct format. This must be completed under MUF established timelines.
• Prepare quality reports for JMPR submission that summarize residue study results and previous JMPR evaluations.
• Maximize value of existing research through the use of extrapolation models and crop groups, reduced data requirement proposals, and/or broad use pattern. Communicate with personnel in all facets of the project in a professional manner to complete projects in accordance with timelines.
• Assist other Study Directors in preparing reports and interpreting data as needed.

Other responsibilities as assigned (10%): 

Attend MUF, grower, and professional meetings, make presentations and join committees of appropriate groups. (Many of these meetings are conducted online.)  Assist other Study Directors and Operations Manager in completion of projects. Work in a cooperative manner with other MUF personnel.

Qualifications, Desired Skills, Characteristics, and Competencies

• An earned degree (science, agriculture, or related field).
• Professional experience in the scientific or regulatory aspects of pesticides and familiarity with GAP and GLP (preferably in the international context such as JMPR or CCPR), international development programming related to agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural sciences, and food security. 
• Ability to conceptualize, plan, and carry out the wide range of activities necessary to be a Study Director.
• Experience and understanding of agricultural science, technology, product development and relevant technical disciplines.
• A keen interest and ability in communicating scientific information and ability to work harmoniously and effectively with a wide range of people and organizations.
• Strong language skills and bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.

Compensation

This is a remote position and a successful candidate will be an independent contractor. Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States.  This will be a contracted position with the Foundation, initially at approximately 50% FTE, but subject to change based on growth of programming needs.

To Apply

The search will continue until a suitable candidate is found.  For individuals based in the USA, in accordance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

For full consideration, email a letter of application addressing pertinent qualifications and detailed work experiences; a résumé; and names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of three professional references by September 20, 2022 to:

Anna Gore anna.gore@minorusefoundation.org

Equal Employment Opportunity

Employment decisions will be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.