Research Scientist

About Us
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 Lead Characterization and Engineering Team is currently seeking a Research Scientist, to be located in Durham, North Carolina

Role Purpose

• This position will conduct scientific experiments primarily in the areas of biochemistry and cell biology, with a strong focus developing cell-based activity screens
• Support the adoption and development of technologies to advance functional capabilities in the areas of cell biology and related automation
• Synthesize results and clearly communicate progress and challenges to varied audiences
• To be an active member of the Insect and Herbicide Trait Discovery group contributing to group innovation and troubleshooting across disciplines
• To be an active project team member to deliver project goals and meet timelines

Accountabilities

• Deliver reproduceable results to the function or project team in a timely manner
• Generate new ideas for continuous improvement and evaluate new research ideas
• Develop new processes, methods, and or protocols and ensure their appropriate validation and wider implementation
• Design, plan, carry out, and interpret experiments alone or in collaboration with other scientists
• Conduct scientific activities in accordance with or exceeding all relevant HSE guidelines
• Contribute to a congenial team environment, fostering scientific rigor, collaboration, safety, and inclusion
• Communicate clearly and effectively

Requirements

• Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree with 4 or more years of relevant prior experience
• Significant cell culture experience with insect or mammalian cell lines and primary cells
• Hands-on experience with common cell transfection techniques and stable cell line cloning and selection
• Experience in developing standard cell proliferation, viability, and cell death assays 
• Experience producing, manipulating, and characterizing proteins, particularly membrane proteins
• Must be able to work proficiently in a team-based, project-focused, and changing environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written

Preferred Requirements

• Experience utilizing fluorescent methods, including immuo-fluorescent methods for protein localization
• Experience with cell-based assay automation and operating liquid-handlers
• Experience with primary insect midgut cell isolation and culture is a plus

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 
• Paid Vacation, 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.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

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 Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions. Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.