Associate Breeder

About Us
We invite you to help us shape the future of floriculture. At Syngenta Flowers, we believe every employee has a role to play in bringing plant potential to life and taking care of our planet. To support that challenge, the Research and Development Team is currently seeking an Associate Breeder – Flower in Gilroy, CA. As an Associate Breeder you will contribute to the development of innovative flower varieties that focused on the Syngenta Flowers’ 15-year strategy, by assisting in the execution of all administrative, technical, and agronomic aspects of the breeding program. You will also support research and development activities by assisting in crosses, seed processing, cell biology, pathology, and field management for all research and development trials conducted by the breeding program.
 
Accountabilities 

• Work in close collaboration with the (Senior) Breeder, manage on- and offsite trial operations of the breeding program including, but not limited to planting, data collection, plot maintenance, harvesting, seed processing, and other administrative activities associated with breeding and trialing. 
• Support the (Senior) Breeder on strategic crops and accountable to run a small breeding program to evaluate pre-candidates against defined product profiles and describe progress.
• Support the (Senior) Breeder to manage germplasm diversity within those programs.
• Work closely with the operations teams on the establishment and execution of breeding and pollination trials, elite, purity, and product comparison trials. Assist with nursery harvest and processing activities to improve quality of results.
• In close collaboration with the (Senior) Breeder, ensure that all relevant data is collected, and relevant assays for quality control are conducted in a timely manner. 
• Work with the Technical Team for closer integration of breeding traits relevant for product profile.
• Work with the research team for trait discovery and new technology implementation for new traits introgression.
• Utilize high throughput phenotyping wherever appropriate. Keep up-to-date with current technical developments. Apply appropriate technologies to deliver crop goals.
• Perform all tasks in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required training courses. 

Requirements

• PhD in plant breeding preferred, or MS in Plant Breeding or related, with minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of culture and genetics of ornamental crops is highly valued.
• In-depth knowledge of plant breeding, genetic and genomic selection, statistical analysis and field design, population genetics, quantitative genetics, association genetics, phenomics, plant biology/pathology and marker breeding techniques. 
• Strong familiarity with technology applications that support and accelerate breeding such as data analytics, imaging/phenomics, environmental analysis.
• Working experience within data-science based breeding program is highly beneficial
• Proficient with computers, database software, and advance breeding information system 
• Experienced in project management/report writing in a team-oriented atmosphere
• Ability to generate reports/charts/summary tables to communicate results and progress
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with MS Office and corporate software, statistical and bioinformatic languages is a plus
• Excellent organization, human relation skills, and attention to detail are required.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in agricultural, field trials, plant breeding is particularly beneficial 
• Ability to effectively organize, manage and assign workload to meet project goals and deadlines
• Ability to work independently with minimal day-today supervision
• Display commercial awareness
• Ability to work in international setting
• Regional and international travel required to trial and nursery locations, and to other supporting activities
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus

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
• 9 Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation
• 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.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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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Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions. Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.