Modelling Platform Science Lead

At Syngenta Crop Protection there has been significant focus and investment in predictive science and digital transformation, revolutionizing research and development for sustainable food production. We have recently developed PRIME, a cutting-edge predictive modelling platform, and we are seeking a talented individual to lead its success.

As the Modelling Platform Science Lead, you will provide strategic direction, guide technical and scientific governance, and bridge the gap between the R&D expert modelling community and R&D IT. Your role involves supporting diverse modelling communities across R&D, identifying new opportunities for model deployment at scale, and exploring new technologies for model building and validation. You will be accountable for the overall success of the platform, providing strategic direction and guiding technical and scientific governance aspects.

If you are passionate about science and innovation, with expertise in data science and predictive modelling, join us and become part of a dynamic network of data science practitioners contributing to the success of our organisation.

What are we looking for?

• Background in predictive modelling in the physical or life sciences at a postgraduate level.
• Prior wet-lab experience (e.g. biology, chemistry, toxicology, environmental science) is a plus.
• Experience working in an academic or industrial R&D setting.
• Strong Python skills and familiarity with standard data science tooling for data-driven modelling / machine learning.
• Understanding of the model lifecycle and tools to manage it, as well as technical aspects such as deployment, containerization/virtualization, and handling metadata. Experience with DataIKU/DSS is a plus, but not essential.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, adaptability to different business challenges and openness to new solutions and different ways of working.
• Curiosity and ability to acquire domain knowledge in adjacent scientific areas to effectively work across internal teams and quickly get up to speed with different modelling approaches.
• Understanding of mathematical/mechanistic modelling is a plus.

Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group.

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.

Our site

Jealott's Hill International Research Centre UK is situated in pleasant semi-rural surroundings between Bracknell and Maidenhead and is the place of work for approximately 800 Syngenta scientists and support staff.  Jealott’s Hill is one of the main global research and development sites and key activities include research into discovery of new active ingredients, new formulation technologies, product safety and technical support of our product range.

What we offer

• Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• Flexible & Hybrid working
• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.  
• The opportunity to develop and apply your science within the chemical industry.
• The chance to work as part of a global team to address the current and future needs of the agricultural sector.
• Learning culture and wide range of training options.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top 5 employer and number 1 in agriculture by Science Journal.

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. Learn more about our D&I initiatives here: https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion

Jealott’s Hill has Disability Confident certification.

We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to all candidates and our Jealott’s Hill site are a Disability Confident Level 2 Employer. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application and we will do everything we can to support you.