Malta Operations RA2- Seeds Nursery

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 Seeds Development/Seeds Nursery Operations team is currently seeking a Research Associate 2, located in Malta, IL.

Role purpose: The purpose of the Research Associate 2 is to lead the execution of corn nursery seed production, strictly follow HSE and Stewardship practices, provide quality seed meeting quantity and timeline targets to assist scientists in delivering project goals, as well as to support site management with the functional activities of a research station.

Accountabilities

• Operate, troubleshoot, and perform basic maintenance on farm and specialized research equipment
• Functioning as an integral member of a team leading aspects of packaging, planting, cultivating, note taking and harvesting in seed production nurseries.
• Responsible for efforts to maintain integrity of seed inventory, packaging, field layout, pollinating, seed processing, and data collection.
• Performing all tasks and behaving in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required company training courses.
• Leading tasks completed by other FTE staff and third-party contract labor to achieve desired results.
• Provide daily direction to contract staff
• Provide task specific training to FTEs and contract staff
• Leading complex projects and deliver on key targets.
• Understand and operate within given budget
• Effectively communicating regularly with peers and supervisors regarding the status of projects and work activities.

Critical success factors & key challenges

• Must be able to work independently and will travel to off-site locations to accurately collect and manage data obtained from trials.
• Plant, lead manual pollination crews, maintain and harvest seed production trials to meet deadlines.
• Coordinate and manage workload to complete objectives and tasks.
• Operate and perform basic maintenance on research farm equipment.
• Must be detail oriented, and drive attention to accuracy.

• B.S. Degree in an Agriculture, Logistics, or Engineering related discipline and/or relevant experience preferred. Previous work experience in a related field also preferred
• Experience with precision agriculture equipment and software systems
• Have current Part 107 Drone operating license or ability to obtain certification
• Ability to use MS Office, especially Word, Excel, Power Point and other standard office software.
• Ability to use and support proprietary IT systems.
• Demonstrated initiative and implementation of specific, measurable performance objectives.
• Basic Farm equipment and maintenance background
• Familiarity with seed technology industry and plant breeding methodologies
• Experience with precision agriculture equipment and software systems
• Knowledge of best practices in agronomic management
• History of implementation of continuous improvements and new innovations

• A minimum of two years in current position is (required for internal)
• All applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Capable of working in high or low temperature conditions in field.  Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.  Capable of working long hours during time-critical periods of the growing season.

WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Field, laboratory, office.  Domestic and international travel required with occasional overnight stays. Stays at off-season production/nursery locations may extend to two to three weeks.  Potential allergens¾pollen, fungal spores, chemical pesticides in the field or greenhouse.

TRAVEL: Seasonal travel to off-station testing locations, project meetings, and winter nursery locations

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.
• Annual Salary: $50,000 - 60,000, plus bonus
• 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.