Corn Germplasm Development Scientist II

At Syngenta, we believe every employee has a role to play in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. To support that challenge, the R&D - North America Seeds Development team is currently seeking a Corn Germplasm Development Scientist II preferably located in Highland, Illinois. (This role may have potential for being based in Slater, IA)

Job Summary: The Germplasm Development Scientist II is a mid-level position within the North America Corn Germplasm Development team focused on the development and improvement of inbred lines for crop production. This role involves applying advanced plant breeding techniques to create and select inbred lines with superior traits, contributing to the overall goals of the breeding program. The Line Breeder II will work closely with a team of scientists and technicians to drive the development of new varieties that meet regional pipeline market demands and accelerate genetic gain.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement breeding strategies to develop and improve elite inbred lines, ensuring alignment with program objectives and performance targets set by regional pipeline manager.
• Manage the creation of breeding populations, conduct yield trial and nursery evaluations, and contribute to product advancement via the analysis of phenotypic and genotypic data.
• Utilize molecular markers, genomic selection, and other analytic tools to enhance the efficiency of line development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as trialing, operations, logistics, planning, genotyping, trait introgression, seed parent research, to successfully deliver the regional corn breeding pipeline
• Lead cross-collaborative science teams with plant breeders, data scientists, computational biologists with objectives relevant to improving North America Corn Germplasm Development
• Maintain accurate records of breeding activities, germplasm evaluations, and seed inventories in compliance with company policies and intellectual property regulations.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, research papers, and presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Bring unique differentiating skillsets or knowledge base in emerging plant breeding technologies and methodologies
• Participate in the mentoring and training of junior breeders, technicians, and interns.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in plant breeding, genetics, and related technologies to continually enhance breeding methodologies.

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field; or MS in Plant Breeding with 3+ years of industry relevant experience.
• Highly prefer minimum of 3 years of experience in industrial plant breeding, with a focus on line development and a proven track record of successful variety releases.
• Expertise with tools for data analysis, statistical computation, and visualization (such as Python or R); programing and pipeline development skills integrating large, complex datasets from structured and unstructured sources.
• Strong understanding of molecular breeding techniques and their application in line development., such as marker-assisted selection, genome-wide association (GWA) and genomic selection (GS).
• Expertise in machine vision phenomics is a plus but not required
• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Curiosity and a desire to continuously learn and stay current on new emerging science and technology
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to various research and trial locations as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in field and greenhouse environments, which may include exposure to various weather conditions, chemicals, and biological agents.
• Capability to perform physical tasks such as planting, pollinating, harvesting, and handling small tools and equipment.

Work Environment: The position will involve a balanced mix of office work and field activities. The incumbent should expect seasonal fluctuations in workload and may be required to work outside of standard hours during peak seasons.

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.
• Open Vacation Policy with a minimum of 15 days of vacation and up to 30 days with manager approval, plus paid holidays.
• Maternity/Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs and Corporate Discounts among other benefits.
• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members.

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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.