Biological Operations Specialist

In this exciting role, you'll have the opportunity to drive the digitalization of controlled-environment plant breeding. You'll coordinate data collection activities in external trials, collaborating with partner growers, and deliver project results as part of an overall plan.

Join us and drive agricultural innovation through cutting-edge phenotyping solutions! Leverage your analytical skills and passion for technology to make a lasting impact in the field of agriculture.

In this role you will:

• Drive the implementation of high-throughput phenotyping solutions for the analysis of fruits and plants of different crops using image analysis technology, in close contact with the Breeding, MST and Applied Data Science team.
• Supervise the correct work of the tools by running data curation and analysis, and finally deliver results to our clients.
• Coordination of data collection activities in external trials, working closely with partner growers in the field to support and train them.
• Drive and implement strategies for the digitalization of controlled-environment (CE) based plant breeding. Design and operate smart sensor systems from proof-of-concept to scale to drive operational efficiency and support data-driven decision-making using sensor networks for environmental monitoring.
• Deliver project results as part of an overall project plan and ensure seamless integration of technology, operations, algorithms and data flow with the IT infrastructure and standardized procedures

The main accountabilities of the role will be:

• Lead the implementation of High Throughput phenotyping strategies and related projects through implementation and deployment of automized tools, monitoring systems with a special focus on data collection.
• Integrate and optimize technology development in interaction with IT/R&D-IT
• Closely interact with Plant Breeders, Data Science, IT, and Operations.
• Be an active member of any relevant global network of experts, common interest groups with relevant functions to coordinate key technology advancements and promote sharing of best practice while continue to drive standardization for data collection strategies.
• Collect and integrate the different data sources into one database for data analysis
• Compare data coming from different data sources and databases (descriptive analysis) to provide the best insides for final purposes.

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.

You will be a great fit if you have:

• Educational background in Agronomy, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics or any other related fields.
• Masters in Engineering, Automation, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or other subject relating to image and data analysis.
• Appreciation of the value in data - experience in agricultural automation to make scientific or business decisions.
• Handling Excel (formulation, create pivot, etc…), SmartSheets, BI Tools, and a plus if computational Skills in place (Python,R, etc…).
• Fluent both in English and Spanish.

We will value:

• Working knowledge of processes involved in a Research or Breeding environment would be beneficial
• In-depth knowledge of design and deployment of HTP systems, with focus on greenhouse and other controlled environment plant growth facilities
• Sound understating of image-based plant phenotyping, AI, Augmented Reality, Sensor Analytics, GIS environments would all be beneficial.
• Knowledge in robotics delivery, development and solution architecture preferably in plant breeding/biology research industries
• Knowledge in environmental engineering and unique/low volume robotics and automation
• Experience of working with third-party specialist companies/contract management experience.
• Some experience and skills in managing projects and stakeholders in a large matrix organization.
• Experience of R&D workflows and operations

• A role which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment
• Flexible working arrangements and environment with an open culture and diverse workforce, a possibility of working from home
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity and offers numerous events throughout the year
• Learning culture and a wide range of development options, including access to learning platforms (Degreed, LinkedIn Learning, O’Reilly)
• High quality office environment

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.