Soybean Pathology 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 Trait Assessment Team is currently seeking a Soybean Pathology Scientist, too be located in Malta, IL.
 
Role Purpose

• The purpose of the Soybean Pathology Scientist is to develop and implement a robust and efficient plant disease phenotyping platform that supports disease resistance trait projects and disease/pest tolerant product advancement, delivery and placement.
• This Pathologist will support primarily soybean development, discovery, native trait, and GM trait projects through delivery of effective, high quality disease assay development, disease phenotyping results, and pathology expertise on project teams.
• To build an effective Pathology network that bridges across internal PD, Agronomy, Research and Discovery, CP, and external COI / CRO to effectively develop, deliver, and place disease resistant products in the marketplace. 
   

Accountabilities

• Lead, guide, and conduct pathology phenotyping efforts for Soybean diseases.
• Serve as a pathology technical lead / expert on project and functional teams to enable generation of high quality, high-throughput phenotypic disease data, results, and information necessary to advance pathology projects and place disease tolerant products.
• Develop, refine, and execute efficient efficacy studies in the field, greenhouse, growth rooms, and laboratory, analyze data, prepare summary reports, and present results.
• Work with project leads and team members to develop, lead, communicate, and deliver project plans and timelines for disease phenotyping activities.
• Source and manage third-party testing including locating and contracting trial sites and co-operators.
• Effectively guide and supervise Research Associates, Associate Scientists, and other temporary technical personnel within Pathology functional group, as required.
• Train and provide pathology expertise for team members outside of functional group, effectively transferring and leveraging pathology expertise.
• Manage all activities in accordance with all Syngenta HSE, GM, and QMS policies and Federal (USDA and EPA) and State regulations.
• Establish the number of trials and varieties tested to support commercial objectives

Requirements

• PhD in Plant Pathology with 2+ year of applied experience
• Knowledge in basic Pathology techniques including: pathogen isolation, propagation, inoculation, corn and soy crop disease phenotyping/screening techniques, and plant-pathogen assay development and optimization.
• Knowledge of experimental design and statistics.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience conducting successful crop disease phenotyping research, especially on soybean and corn crops, and using digital/precision phenotyping approaches.
• Hands-on work conducting soybean and corn disease screening and assay development and refinement under laboratory, greenhouse, growth room, and field conditions.
• Demonstrated success in technical proficiency, scientific creativity, collaboration with others and independent thinking.
• Excellent speaking and writing communication skills and proven ability to interact across diverse scientific, professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills. Ability to construct, communicate, and adhere to project and functional plans.
• Must be able to rapidly develop and conduct efficient, robust plant disease assays.
• Must work well in cross-functional, diverse, team settings and independently, to successfully deliver on project goals.
• Ability to establish priorities, conduct, and oversee multiple phenotyping research activities simultaneously at peak work periods.
• Excellent experimental design, planning, execution, and analysis skills.
• Strong commitment to Regulatory Compliance and Syngenta Stewardship policies.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office, and R statistical software.

Preferred Requirements

• Basic knowledge of genetics, plant breeding, statistics, agronomy, and crop production methods.
• Strong capability in networking, internally and externally.
• Ability to learn and function effectively independently and in a team environment.
• Must network effectively to learn ways of working and develop best practices

Physical demands of the essential functions:

• Work environment varies from greenhouse and field work to typical office and meeting environments.
• Exposure to high and low temperatures in field, greenhouse, or seed store.
• Capable of standing and sitting for long periods of time. 
• Capable of lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds. 
• Capable of bending, lifting, squatting for several hours at a time to observe and evaluate plant disease responses.
• Capable of working longer hours during time-critical periods of growing season and during travel.
• Requires domestic travel with regular overnight stays. 
• Driver’s license required
• Travel outside continental U.S. will be occasionally required.
• All applicants must be eligible to work in the US.
• Candidate must be capable of relocating within US.

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

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.