Application Guide
How to Apply for Co-Founder in Residence, Priming Plant Resilience for Climate Risks
at Deep Science Ventures
🏢 About Deep Science Ventures
Deep Science Ventures (DSV) is a venture creation studio that builds science-first companies to solve global challenges, with a focus on restoring ecosystems and reversing global heating. Unlike traditional accelerators, DSV co-founds companies with exceptional scientists, providing hands-on support from thesis refinement to spin-out. This role offers a rare chance to lead a venture from inception, tackling climate resilience in agriculture with deep tech.
About This Role
As Co-Founder in Residence, you will drive the creation of a new venture focused on on-demand plant resilience technologies to help crops withstand climate stress during critical growing windows. You will refine the technical thesis on priming mechanisms, develop commercial and regulatory strategies, and lead cross-functional work spanning plant biology, delivery systems, field trials, IP, and compliance. Your ultimate goal is to recruit a co-founding team, prepare for investment committee review, and spin out the company by Q2 2027.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve refining the technical thesis with scientific advisors, mapping out regulatory pathways, and engaging with potential co-founders or investors. You could also be designing field trials, reviewing IP strategy, or preparing materials for the investment committee. The role is highly dynamic, balancing deep scientific work with strategic business development.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Deep Science Ventures Is Looking For
- PhD or equivalent R&D expertise in plant physiology, crop science, or molecular biology, with a strong publication record and translational execution experience.
- Demonstrated entrepreneurial mindset with first-principles thinking, and a track record of navigating ambiguous, fast-paced environments to bring scientific innovations to market.
- Experience in leading cross-functional teams, including R&D, field trials, regulatory affairs, and IP strategy, ideally in agtech or climate tech.
- Strong commercial acumen and fundraising ability, with the capacity to refine a technical thesis into a compelling business case for Series A readiness.
📝 Tips for Applying to Deep Science Ventures
Highlight your translational research experience: DSV values scientists who can move from lab to field, so quantify outcomes like yield improvements or stress tolerance metrics in your resume.
Demonstrate familiarity with DSV's venture creation model: mention specific DSV portfolio companies or their focus on climate and agriculture in your application to show alignment.
Emphasize your ability to recruit and lead: provide examples of building teams, securing advisors, or leading cross-disciplinary projects, as this is central to the Co-Founder in Residence role.
Show regulatory and IP awareness: include any experience with EPA/USDA regulations for plant technologies or patent strategy, as these are key responsibilities.
Connect your work to climate resilience: explicitly link your research to helping crops withstand climate stress, aligning with DSV's mission to reverse global heating.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your technical expertise in plant priming mechanisms or related fields, and how it translates to on-demand resilience technologies.', 'Your entrepreneurial journey: any past experience in founding, co-founding, or leading a venture, especially in agtech or climate tech.', 'Your vision for the commercial and regulatory pathway: outline a high-level strategy for bringing a plant resilience product to market, including target crops and geographies.', 'Your ability to recruit and inspire a co-founding team and advisory board, with specific examples of building networks and securing commitments.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study DSV's venture creation model: understand their process from thesis to spin-out, and review their existing portfolio companies in agriculture and climate.
- → Explore the science of plant priming: familiarize yourself with current research on priming mechanisms, including chemical, biological, and physical treatments.
- → Analyze the competitive landscape: identify startups and established players in plant resilience, and understand their technologies, funding, and market traction.
- → Understand regulatory pathways: research EPA, USDA, and international regulations for plant biostimulants, gene editing, or other relevant technologies.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being too academic: focusing solely on research without addressing commercial viability, regulatory strategy, or fundraising potential.
- Ignoring the venture creation aspect: applying as if this is a traditional R&D role rather than a co-founder position requiring entrepreneurial drive.
- Lack of specificity: proposing vague ideas without concrete examples of how you would refine the technical thesis or achieve milestones by Q2 2027.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Deep Science Ventures!