Controlled Environment Scientist

Controlled Environment Scientist (Horticulture)

Type: Permanent

Department: Seeds Development

Location: Enkhuizen (NL) or Malta (US)

Into Action

As our Controlled Environment Scientist you will provide plant growth management expertise with a primary focus on corn and soybean within the Global Controlled Environment & Physiology Team of Seeds Development. This team develops innovative protocols that reduce the flowering/harvest time and/or increase yield and seed quality in CE (controlled environments) and supports the global and regional TI (trait introgression), DH (doubled haploid) and breeding teams with Life Cycle Management and infrastructure PoC, pilot and scale-up projects.

The Challenge
In this role you (Co-)lead innovative Research/Development projects such as: Plant health monitoring and control (e.g. fertigation, disease control), plant growth media and alternatives to synthetic fertilizers in CE, Plant Physiology and CE Cultivation technologies. You will work with global and regional greenhouse teams to trouble shoot and improve their agronomy related ways of working and you lead/participate in CE facility upgrade/design projects for global and regional TI, DH and Breeding stations. Furthermore, you collaborate with Automation and Engineering, Phenomics, Data Sciences, Breeding, Business, and IT teams (plus any other related functions) to execute research and implementation projects. Working on continuous improvements projects and innovation in delivery of CE Technologies, including improvements in HSE, cost-effectiveness, speed, accuracy, and reliability working closely with operations team, assessing evolving needs will be part of you job.

Your Profile

To succeed in this challenging position, you must have a Master’s or PhD degree in agronomy, horticulture, or related field. You have 5+ years (PhD) or 10+ years (MSc) of experience in crop research in controlled environments, preferably using corn or soybean. You have expert knowledge in CE agronomy (plant nutrition, pest control, growth media, climate control) and you have knowledge of plant phenology, breeding and physiology. Besides you have a basic understanding of crop modeling and a conceptual understanding of climate sensors and control systems, lighting systems, plant growth systems. You don’t mind traveling up to 30% of your time.

Your Chance!

If you recognize yourself in the profile and would like to apply for this position, please upload your resume and motivation letter at www.syngenta.com  If you would like to have more information about this vacancy please contact our recruiter Silvana van den Elzen by phone on + 31 6 82426074 or at Silvana.van_den_elzen@syngenta.com

Syngenta is a leading developer and producer of seeds. We bring farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions. Each of our 28,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture.