Seed Production Research and Characterization Intern

Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture​

At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on.​

Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.

Vylor is seeking a Seed Production Research and Characterization Intern to support seed-parent characterization and production research at our Johnston, Iowa, research center. This three-month internship provides hands-on experience within an integrated agricultural research environment supporting trait development, crop protection, plant breeding, and seed production research.

Working alongside scientists and research teams, you will contribute to field, laboratory, greenhouse, and growth-chamber activities involving corn, wheat, canola, soybean, and sorghum. You will also manage an individual research project and present your work to the broader Vylor intern group in Johnston.

What You Will Do:

• Field research: Collect accurate field observations and phenotypic data for production-research studies across multiple crops.
• Research support: Support scientists with research tools, sample collection, experimental activities, and study execution in field and laboratory settings.
• Study maintenance: Assist with plot maintenance, note-taking, labeling, sample organization, and other activities needed to maintain research quality.
• Controlled-environment research: Contribute to laboratory, greenhouse, and growth-chamber work, including data collection and sample or data processing.
• Data management and analysis: Organize, process, and analyze research data using established protocols and appropriate analytical tools.
• Team collaboration: Collaborate with scientists and research teams in Johnston and, as needed, support research activities at other locations within the region.
• Project ownership: Plan and complete an individual research project, then deliver a verbal presentation summarizing the objective, approach, findings, and conclusions.

Qualifications

• Current sophomore or junior standing at an accredited college or university
• Pursuing a degree in agronomy, plant breeding, plant physiology, plant pathology, genetics, biology, or a related field
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Enrollment at an accredited college or university at the time of the internship
• Strong self-motivation, initiative, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills
• Valid driver's license and willingness and ability to travel to remote field locations, including possible overnight travel
• Willingness and ability to work in varying field, laboratory, greenhouse, and growth-chamber conditions

Preferred

• Previous agricultural, field-research, laboratory, greenhouse, or plant-science experience
• Experience collecting, organizing, processing, or analyzing scientific data
• Familiarity with experimental design, phenotyping, plant biology, or crop-production practices
• Experience presenting research findings through coursework, student organizations, employment, or previous internships

What You Will Gain

• Hands-on experience supporting seed production research and parent characterization
• Exposure to field, laboratory, greenhouse, and growth-chamber research environments
• Experience working with scientists across plant breeding, trait development, crop protection, and related research functions
• Opportunities to strengthen research, data-analysis, communication, and project-management skills
• Preparation for future industry roles or graduate-level education in plant science and related disciplines

Internship Details

• Location: Johnston, Iowa
• Duration: Three months, May through August 2027
• Travel: Local and regional field travel, with possible overnight stays

Join Vylor to build practical research experience and contribute to the science behind seed production and integrated product development.

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.