Glasshouse Operations and Metabolism Agronomy Research Scientist’

 Role purpose

• Manage the Product Safety glasshouse and polytunnel, provide plants and technical advice to Product Metabolism staff.
• Grow agricultural crops to maturity under glasshouse conditions, keeping them pest and disease free to enable them to be used for metabolism C14 radiolabelled studies.
• The glasshouse/polytunnel facilities are to be maintained to ensure a clean, tidy, safe and fully operational working environment, which meets SHE, COSHH and radiological regulations.
• Maintenance of perennial crops (grape and fruit trees) for supply to CRO’s

Key features of the role

• A focal point of liaison with Product Metabolism staff and CBRE engineers in order to maintain the glasshouse/ polytunnel system and establish new processes.
• Support the Study Manager/Metabolism Scientists throughout the biological phase of exploratory and regulatory crop metabolism studies.  Including expert advice on study design/protocol creation, choice of crops/varieties to ensure all in-life phase objectives are met.
• Provide specialist agronomic knowledge in (but not limited to): pest management; crop growth stages; ability to speed up or slow down (manipulate) crop growth; grow crops to maturity; hydroponics; knowledge of general farming, formulations and interpretation of GAP.
• Ensuring routine tasks such as watering, maintenance, soil sourcing, pot/box filling and planting are provided.
• Improve capability by providing agronomic expertise and keeping up with modern agricultural science, agronomic practices, and techniques.
• Constructive interaction and support for Product Metabolism staff by sharing data, techniques and methods. Attending meetings and giving presentations.
• A source of expertise on crop husbandry for Product Metabolism.  This may include the undertaking of crop growth trials to optimise choice of crops, varieties and growth conditions for glasshouse and field work.
• Support the CROs by providing expertise and training relating to in-life phases of crop and soil studies (e.g., advice on spraying methodology, growth stage assessment, identification of pests and diseases, appropriate use of pesticides, formulations etc.).
• Support for radiolabelled applications, coordination of maintenance of the track sprayer (cleaning out of sprayer after use; ordering parts), ensuring equipment is optimally functioning for successful application of radiolabelled pesticides.

 Accountabilities

• Work independently and liase with Product Metabolism and reasearch biology staff on a regular basis
• Maintain plants under glasshouse/outdoor conditions for the duration of the study.
• Be accountable for work being done with precision, accuracy and efficiency
• Perform all activities in accordance with the Syngenta Health, Safety, and Environmental Policy
• Develop new methods and techniques to assist Product Metabolism
• Identify issues, non-conformities and report them
• Accurately keep records and share reports with Product Metabolism and biology
• Good work ethic and works consistently in performing role
• Proactive in identifying problems and assists in solving them
• Shows initiative to improve ways of working

Experience & Education required:

• B.Sc. degree or A levels plus one to two years’ experience in a related field preferred
• General knowledge of plant biology and agronomy and knowledge of glasshouse management and control of environmental glasshouse computer systems.
• Understanding BBCH growth stages, formulations, GAP’s
• Good analytical, organizational, and people skills.
• Be detail oriented and a good communicator
• Be flexible
• Agility in learning new tasks, self-starter and team player
• Good self-motivating, self-managing and time management skill sets
• The role requires some physically demanding work

Critical success factors & key challenges

• To become proficient in understanding the needs and requirements of Product Metabolism
• To produce high quality work, ie accuracy, consistency, completeness in an efficient manner
• To develop good working relationships with  Product Metabolism staff and colleagues across site

Syngenta will offer:

• Competitive benefits package including opportunities for flexible working.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• Interaction with external researchers and opportunities to represent Syngenta in research networks, collaborations and conferences.
• Good onsite facilities including a staff restaurant, a gym and fitness classes.
• Campus environment based at Jealott’s Hill located in the Berkshire countryside between Bracknell and Maidenhead.
• Great opportunities for personal and career development.
• A modern, stimulating and dynamic working environment which promotes diversity and inclusion, scientific excellence and collaboration.
• A job and responsibilities with purpose at state-of-the-art facilities within a world class R&D campus site.

We embrace and encourage diversity, and this is what drives our innovation and lets us outperform the market. https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion

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Syngenta is leading science-based agtech company; dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 employees in more than 100 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.

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.

 As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all –while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs.

Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting. From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold.

Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.