NA Trait Introgression Applied Genetics… at Syngenta Group · Malta

About Syngenta 

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. 

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta’s Seeds Research Traits Team is seeking a NA Trait Introgression Applied Genetics Scientist in Malta, IL. This role will be responsible for the introgression of traits into Corn germplasm, with the main goal of delivering high-quality traited elite genetics on time to feed the late-stage breeding pipeline, contributing to the commercial launch of high-performance products in the North America market segments.

The NA Trait Introgression Applied Genetics Scientist (NA TI AGS) will support and actively contribute to the NA TID Team and the North America Seeds Development organization by: i. enabling and deploying molecular and computational solutions to increase the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of trait introgression and delivery processes; ii. owning the execution, management, and reporting of some of the key activities involved in such processes.

Accountabilities: 

• Contribute to the NA TID Team by delivering high-performing traited elite genetics to accelerate genetic gain.
• Develop and improve computational predictive and simulation models to test "what-if" scenarios, aiming at the optimization of Corn conversion strategy to increase efficiency, quality, and success.
• Optimize probe-based and sequence-based genotyping activities, contributing to activities such as data assessment and quality-control, marker panel updates, and identification of targets for new candidate traits and loci of interest.
• Implement algorithms and automated solutions, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven systems, to digitize critical workflows within the NA TID.
• Partner with cross-functional scientists to develop and implement computational solutions, to efficiently execute the various activities involved in the TID process, such as conversion strategy assignment, trait donor selection, plant selection, and conversion project advancement.
• Effectively partner with the NA TID Inbred Conversion Analyst, and provide support with conversion project analysis and reporting during peak seasonal windows.
• Contribute to the delivery of targets for established business KPIs, and manage the tracking and reporting of strategic KPIs in collaboration with the Nampa TCA Operations Team.

Required:

• Ph.D. degree, or M.S. degree with 2 to 5 years of experience.
• Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, and/or Quantitative Genetics background required.
• Plant Sciences, Plant Biology, and/or Molecular Breeding knowledge and/or experience highly desired.
• Experience working with large datasets, both phenotypic and molecular (DNA). Excellent understanding of Statistics and Experimental Design, and desirably Quantitative Genetics principles.
• Knowledge and experience with modeling, simulations, predictive analytics, and AI algorithms.
• Knowledge of genotyping/sequencing technologies, and hands-on experience processing and analyzing data derived from (at least one of) them.
• Knowledge of and experience with standard tools for phenotyping and molecular data analysis.
• Familiarity with R and ability to program in R and/or other languages (Python) required. Experience and minimum skills with user interface (UI)/computational app development software.
• Data engineering and data visualization skills (Spotfire, Tableau, R Shiny, PowerBI) are highly desired.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.

Desired:

• Knowledge of plant biology and plant breeding.
• Knowledge of genotyping and sequencing technologies.
• Knowledge of one or more programming languages.
• Knowledge of predictive and AI algorithms.
• Experience in molecular biology and quantitative genetics.
• Familiarity with R and/or other platforms for statistical computing and graphics, and programing skills in R, Python, and/or other languages.
• Product development focus, customer-oriented, able to apply basic concepts of molecular biology and plant genetics and translate them into accelerated genetic gain and maximized elite product performance.

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. 

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