Research Scientist - Professional & Emerging Market Innovation

Role: Research Scientist - Professional & Emerging Market Innovation

Sun Gro Horticulture is one of the most prominent North American horticultural companies, employing over 800 staff and serving customers worldwide. Since its humble beginnings in 1929, it has become the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to North America’s top 100 greenhouse and nursery growers, shipping over 70,000 truckloads of product annually. Sun Gro products are made to exacting standards and conform to high product quality and performance criteria.

Sun Gro Horticulture recognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. The primary goal of Sun Gro® is to promote individual employees’ sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with Sun Gro Horticulture. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, Sun Gro.

GENERAL SUMMARY:
The Research Scientist – Professional & Emerging Markets Innovation leads research and product development initiatives supporting professional horticulture and controlled environment agriculture markets, including ornamental, food, and cannabis production systems. This role focuses on development, validation, and commercialization support of innovative growing media and engineered substrate technologies for professional growers. The position collaborates cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Grower Specialists, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and R&D teams to develop scalable, performance-driven growing media solutions while supporting grower trials, technical evaluations, and university collaborations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Product Development & Technical Innovation

• Lead development and evaluation of professional growing media products and engineered substrate technologies.
• Lead university collaborative research for Sun Gro laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials to support product performance, formulation optimization, and commercialization.
• Develop technical solutions and evaluate substrate materials for professional horticulture and controlled environment agriculture markets.

Technical Support & Collaboration

• Provide technical support to Marketing, Sales, Grower Specialists, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and R&D teams.
• Support development of product specifications, technical claims, and performance positioning.
• Translate technical findings into commercially relevant recommendations and support grower-focused technical initiatives.

Research Programs & Strategic Innovation

• Support grower trial programs, Sun Gro University webinar program development, and university and industry collaborations.
• Monitor emerging technologies, raw materials, and market trends related to growing media and controlled environment agriculture.
• Support development of next-generation growing media technologies aligned with company innovation and sustainability strategies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of growing media components, substrate performance, and horticultural production systems.
• Ability to design, conduct, and analyze scientific research trials using sound experimental and statistical methods.
• Ability to develop innovative growing media solutions and solve technical challenges.
• Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with internal teams, growers, university researchers, and industry partners. 
• Willingness to learn new technologies and support emerging market opportunities.
• Ensure products, materials, and technologies are reviewed with company safety, quality, and regulatory teams prior to commercialization

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Preferred Qualifications · M.S. or Ph.D. in Horticulture, Soil Science, Plant Science, Controlled Environment Agriculture, or related field preferred.
• Experience in growing media, substrate science, greenhouse production, or controlled environment agriculture systems preferred.
• Experience conducting laboratory, greenhouse, and field research trials.
• Familiarity with professional horticulture, ornamental, food, or cannabis production systems preferred.  Experience with technical product development and commercialization support preferred.
• Strong technical problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Ability to properly lift materials
• Work safely around powered equipment and at research facilities

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• A combination of office/computer work and working at plants and research facilities
• Ability to work outdoors and research facilities
• Travel requirement: Up to 70% travel as needed