Research Scientist

About the role

Company Description

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, we're shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel. We’re a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities.  We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance.  Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture. 

Job Description

This role serves as a key member of the soybean trait introgression team while also supporting GM/GE trait pipeline processes and broader greenhouse operations. The position contributes to the timely delivery of high-quality trait introgression materials that align with project objectives and generates reliable experimental data to support plant selection and generation-advancement decisions. All responsibilities are performed in accordance with Syngenta’s Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies and applicable procedures.

Accountabilities:

• Execute assigned soybean crossing, backcrossing, and generation-advancement activities according to approved protocols and project timelines.
• Manage plant growth, flowering schedules, and plant health through appropriate greenhouse care and coordination of integrated pest management activities.
• Maintain accurate plant identification, cross labeling, and pedigree records; ensure sample and seed traceability throughout the breeding cycle, including harvest, processing, and storage.
• Collect, validate, and enter experimental data into designated databases; summarize and present the results.
• Coordinate assigned trait introgression activities with greenhouse, breeding, analytical, and trait teams; communicate progress and promptly escalate technical issues.
• Support routine greenhouse operations, including planting, irrigation, tissue sampling, controlled pollination, harvesting, seed processing, and pest management.
• Must be able to work on a rotational basis as a weekend team member; Willing to work on holidays as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree in plant biology, agronomy, or closely related discipline from an accredited university; Minimum entry qualification of Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years of experience.
• Good knowledge of plant physiology including soybean
• Soybean material traceability and data management
• Knowledge of greenhouse equipment and operations, and IPM
• Experience working with a major field crop such as soybean and corn
• Experience soybean cultivation and crossing under well controlled growth environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in soybean crossing, with high efficiency and consistently strong crossing success rates.
• Work consistently and accurately, with strong attention to detail, documentation, and traceability.
• Communicate clearly, coordinate effectively across teams, and raise risks early.
• Take ownership of commitments and adapt approaches as priorities or conditions change.
• Respond effectively to unexpected biological or operational issues while maintaining quality and meeting delivery commitments.

Additional Information

What We Offer: 

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs. 
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day. 
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution. 
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits. 

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI 

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

Use of AI in Our Recruitment Process

At Syngenta, we use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen applications for high-volume roles.

When you submit an application, AI technology assesses your profile against the job requirements and generates a matching score. This score reflects how closely your qualifications, skills, and experience align with the role's criteria as defined in the job description.

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