Assistant Breeding Project Lead

The Assistant Breeding Project Lead role represents the interface between the R&D Crop Team Leadership (Breeding, Genetic, and Trait Project Leads) and BO. They ensure project execution in R&D meets the quality expectations set by the Project Lead of a given project and secures the high-quality data generation, storage and analysis for data driven development processes.

• Establish the different phenotyping needs and activities to secure trial data collection and data storage.
• Execute adequate trials and data analysis to support data driven decisions in the early development process (discovery to late stage trialing).
• Support the breeding plan execution through collaboration with the Project Team (Biological Operations (BO), Breeding Trial Specialists (BTS) and molecular marker lab) for project planning, initiation, execution, and closure. Act as primary contact and coordinator for all project team members. 
• Manage biological entities, data, and records for the R&D Crop Team in Syngenta approved information systems: breeding data updates in SPIRIT seed inventory in MINT, and technical data for PMD updates. Manage trial administration, seed stocks and seed productions related to the projects. This includes seed health, organization of seed transfers, and traceability.

Accountabilities

• Organize trial data collection, data management, storage and analysis (discovery to late stage trialing).
• Collaboration with BO through timely planning and clear guidance on crop management requests.
• Data collection and administration in SPIRIT and MINT
• Prototype trial data collection and observation. Prescreening: preselection and reporting according BPL guidelines, including data analysis
• Organize prototype testing with operations and BTS
• Basic knowledge of market request, product profiles and breeding targets. 
• Secure crop process from sowing to harvest: planning, request, sowing list and/or planting list, organize pollination plan, harvest list, and seed health prevention measures.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with external cooperators. 
• Organize marker assisted selection logistics: box plan, sampling, information MM lab, tool use for plant selection, plant selection, labeling.
• Manage seed productions and seed stocks 
• Secure seed logistic and seed transfer according to internal rules in collaboration with operations.
• Keep informed about new technologies and techniques in the area of responsibility
• Implement new and apply supporting technologies in breeding program
• Provide technical data to breeder in support of variety advancement in PMD
• Regular reporting to project leads, with frequency to be defined by relevant project lead(s). Proactively escalate problems that need project lead attention.
• Develop excellence within Associate Scientist community across crops and stations

Critical Knowledge & Education:  

• BSc (required, w/ 3-5 yrs experience)/MSc (preferred) degree in genetics, plant breeding, or plant sciences
• Current knowledge of plant biology, genetics and breeding
• Advanced knowledge of trial design, data management, data analysis and statistics
• Basic knowledge of plant pathology and of plant health related to identifying abnormal plant behavior due to biotic and abiotic stresses.
• Good knowledge of agronomic techniques, plant cultivation and crop handling relevant to the assigned crop
• Good understanding of new product/process implementation in commercial environment

Critical Skills: 

• Proactive attitude and a strong motivation towards working with plants. 
• Ability to manage and analyze large data sets
• Strong in use of computers and to work disciplined with database management
• Ability to work in a multicultural, de-centralized and multifunctional team
• Ability/willingness to travel regionally and occasionally globally
• High attention to detail and consistency in performance
• Open to demands on deliverables and to resource reallocation if necessary
• Ability to learn and use proprietary R&D software systems (SPIRIT, MINT…).
• Good ability to plan activities. Basic understanding of project management and planning.
• Good stress management skills
• Ambition to grow in the job and in the company
• Ability to work in field and greenhouse environment.
• Ability to Communicate effectively (verbal and written) in English

Critical Experience:

• Experience in managing and analyzing large data sets
• Experience in working practically with plants and crops

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Physically fit to work long days in the field and to stay focused under pressure
• Capable of working in high or low temperature conditions in a field or greenhouse.  
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds. 
• Repeated bending and twisting of torso and wrist.

WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Field, greenhouse and office.
• Domestic and international travel possible with overnight stays.  
• Exposure to potential allergens (pollen and fungal spores) and chemical pesticides in the field or greenhouse.

What We Offer:

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts the same day you do
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution 
• Paid Vacation, 9 Paid Holidays plus 3 floating holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

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.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)
(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)

Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)
        

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