NA Trait Introgression and Delivery TxG Evaluation Scientist

Through leading innovations, we help farmers around the world meet the challenge of feeding a growing population and taking care of our planet. We are currently seeking a NA Trait Introgression and Delivery TxG Evaluation Scientist for the Applied Genetics/Seeds Development team ideally in Durham, North Carolina. This role may additionally be based in other Syngenta locations: Stanton MN, Malta IL or Slater IA.

Role Purpose
The North America Trait Introgression and Delivery (NA TID) - Applied Genetics Team is responsible for the introgression of traits into corn and soybean elite germplasm, with the main goal of delivering high-quality traited elite genetics on time to feed the late-stage breeding pipeline, contributing to the commercial launch of high-performance products in the North America market segments. The NA TID TxG Evaluation Scientist will support the trait introgression and delivery team and the North America Corn and Soybean Seeds Development organizations by: i. Owning the molecular characterization and evaluation of finished traited products; ii. Developing and implementing digital solutions for the evaluation of trait by germplasm (TxG) interactions and the predicted effect on the performance of elite pre-commercial products; iii. Supporting genotyping and fingerprinting activities.
Accountabilities

• Work as a member of the North America Trait Introgression and Delivery (NA TID) Team, contributing to the delivery of high-quality corn and soybean traited elite genetics with competitive performance, supporting the accelerated rate of genetic gain in product development.
• Molecularly fingerprint and characterize corn and soybean traited products and evaluate their quality. Characterize conversions and provide recommendations for declaration and advancement to pre-commercial stages of the breeding pipelines.
• Characterize and quantify TxG and TxGxE (trait by genotype by environment) effects of elite corn and soybean traited products through the analysis of greenhouse and field performance and molecular data.
• Apply computational models for genetic signal detection and elucidate genomic regions associated with making a successful commercial product.
• Derive mathematical and statistical logics to incorporate learnings resulting from genetic signal detection models into the trait donor selection and the inbred conversion processes.
• Contribute to and support the development of highly automated and integrated digital solutions for trait introgression and delivery.
• Develop predictive models of the field performance of traited elite genetics for agronomic traits of economic and commercial value. Conduct routine validations to assess the predictive accuracy of such models. Continuously update and enhance models.
• Generate, curate, and maintain appropriate training sets for the prediction of field performance of traited elite genetics with a variety of commercial traits and/or trait stacks. Conduct validations to assess the predictive accuracy of the training sets. Routinely update training sets.
• Contribute to increase the rate of genetic gain in the commercial product development pipeline by supporting the advancement of traited elite genetics with predicted superior field performance, and timely recommending the discontinuation of predicted under-performing conversion products.
• Support low and medium-density genotyping, fingerprinting, and sequencing activities in corn and soybean pre-coded, coded, and traited germplasm, by actively contributing to the development and/or optimization of targeted sequencing or genotyping marker panels.
• Contribute to the ongoing digitization and automation efforts of the NA TID team, by actively delivering algorithms, models, and/or digital solutions to support TI Donor Selection, Project Tracking, Marker-Assisted Inbred Conversion, and/or other activities of the TID pipeline.

• Ability to work efficiently in fast-paced environments and successfully meet deadlines.
• Ability to manipulate, organize, track, process, and generate reports from large and complex phenotypic and molecular datasets.
• Ability to work with existing software for phenotypic and molecular data analysis, and ability to develop new/modify existing digital algorithms by programming in one or more languages.
• Ability to effectively and accurately communicate with shareholders and stakeholders.

Knowledge, experience & capabilities:

• Ph.D. or M.S. with 3 to 5 years of experience.
• Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, and/or Quantitative Genetics background required.
• Plant Biology and/or Molecular Breeding knowledge and/or experience highly desired.
• Experience working with large datasets, both phenotypic and molecular (DNA). Excellent understanding of Statistics and Experimental Design principles. Understanding of and experience with Bayesian and Deep Learning predictive models.
• Knowledge of genotyping/sequencing technologies, and hands-on experience processing and analyzing data derived from (at least one of) them.
• Knowledge of and experience with standard tools for phenotyping and molecular data analysis.
• Familiarity with R and ability to program in R and/or other languages (Python) required.
• Data engineering and data visualization skills (Spotfire, Tableau, R Shiny) highly desired.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.

Critical knowledge:

• Knowledge of plant biology and/or plant breeding.
• Knowledge and understanding of GxExT.
• Knowledge of genotyping/sequencing technologies.
• Knowledge of one or more programming languages.
• Knowledge of genetic signal detection and predictive models.

Critical experience:

• Experience in molecular biology and quantitative genetics.
• Experience working with large and complex phenotypic and molecular datasets.
• Hands-on programming experience.
• Hands-on experience with genetic signal detection and predictive models.

Critical technical, professional, and personal capabilities:

• Familiarity with R and/or other platforms for statistical computing and graphics, and programing skills in R and/or other languages.
• Product development focus, customer-oriented, able to apply basic concepts of molecular biology and plant genetics and translate them into accelerated genetic gain and maximized elite product performance.
• Ability to effectively communicate with different and diverse audiences.
• Innovative, technology-driven scientific skills and approaches to task completion and problem resolution.

• A minimum of two years in current position is (required for internal)
• All applicants must be eligible to work in the US.
• Ability to travel. Travel to team/project/shareholders/stakeholders meetings and trainings. 

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, 9 Paid Holidays
• Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts among others
• A culture that promotes work/life balance, celebrates diversity, and offers numerous family-oriented events throughout the year

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.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm)
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)
(http://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/firststep/poster_direct.htm)
Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)
(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)

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Syngenta is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 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. 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.