Who are we, and what do we do?
At Corteva Agriscience, you will help us grow what’s next. No matter your role, you will be part of a team that is building the future of agriculture – leading breakthroughs in the innovation and application of science and technology that will better the lives of people all over the world and fuel the progress of humankind.
The Team Lead, In Vivo Associate Investigators will provide hands-on people leadership and oversight for technical staff within the Developmental, Reproductive, General, and Neurotoxicology (DRGN) group, partnering with Planning & Management to coordinate resources, remove execution barriers, and ensure timely, compliant study conduct and reporting. This role is expected to communicate priorities and progress to both scientific and operational stakeholders and to coach team members to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes, while fostering a culture of safety, animal welfare, and continuous improvement. The Team Lead will help translate study plans into daily execution, proactively manage risk, and drive operational excellence across multiple concurrent studies.
What You’ll Do:
Lead a team of 10 Associate Investigators, providing day-to-day direction, coaching, and performance support to enable consistent study execution.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of rodent developmental and reproductive (DART), and general toxicology study conduct, including endpoints and sample collection requirements that support downstream interpretation and reporting.
Coordinate with Planning & Management, Study Directors, PIs, and Technical Leads to align facility resources with DRGN study needs, anticipating constraints and rebalancing staff and space to protect critical timelines.
Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and ensure team execution meets applicable regulatory expectations and internal quality standards.
Follow well established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Guidance Documents, and reinforce documentation discipline (e.g., records, deviations, and training) to support inspection readiness.
Anticipate, identify, and prioritize critical needs, issues, and gaps in collaboration with DRGN Scientists and the Planning & Management staff, driving timely escalation and practical mitigation plans.
Make impromptu work assignments according to the daily needs of the DRGN Study Directors and Associate Investigators, ensuring appropriate coverage for in-life activities, necropsy, and time-sensitive endpoints.
Facilitate training programs, maintain training records, mentor team members, and foster cross training, including coaching on clear communication of technical issues and study status to scientific and operational partners.
Ensure completion of orientation and training records for new Associate Investigators, and verify readiness before independent task execution.
Partner with Study Directors, Quality Assurance, and facility leadership during audits/inspections and internal readiness reviews, supporting timely responses, investigations, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
Drive continuous improvement by identifying recurring pain points (e.g., scheduling conflicts, documentation errors, training gaps) and implementing practical countermeasures, metrics, and standard work to improve throughput and quality.
Model and reinforce a strong safety and animal welfare culture, ensuring hazards are addressed, staff are trained and equipped, and in-life activities are executed with integrity and care.
What Skills You Need:
Ph.D. with 3-years or M.S. Degree with 10 years experience in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., toxicology, DART, Animal Sciences or related field).
Comprehensive experience with rodent toxicity study conduct, including execution in a GLP environment.
Experience managing technical level scientists, with demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple priorities, projects, and timelines in a fast-paced environment as a people leader.
Hands-on experience with cesarean sections including fetal examinations and other relevant parental and fetal endpoints promulgated in OECD reproductive and developmental testing guidelines.
Working skills with MS Office, Instem Provantis, and other software tools, with the ability to produce clear, timely study documentation and status updates.
Excellent communication and organizational skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical or scheduling issues clearly to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
The ability to react calmly and efficiently in urgent situations, prioritizing safety, animal welfare, data integrity, and business-critical deliverables.
Benefits – How We’ll Support You:
Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills.
Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place.
Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment.
Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays.
Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father.
Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program.
Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits.
Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life.
Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.
Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.
Benefits – How We’ll Support You:
Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life
Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.
Corteva Agriscience is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.
