Scientist I

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, we're shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel. We’re a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities. We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance. Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture.

Job Description

This role is responsible for executing and continuously improving high-throughput lead production workflows for Trait Discovery, with a primary focus on molecular biology and protein production activities while also supporting plant-based sample generation and transient sample production. The position leads the development, execution, and scaling of high-throughput protein production workflows, ensuring processes are reliable, efficient, well-documented, and aligned with quality standards. In addition, the role provides technical leadership in the identification and characterization of potential trait candidates, utilizing a variety of experimental strategies to advance discovery efforts and drive innovation.

• Independently execute, troubleshoot, and continuously improve high-throughput protein-production workflows, including preparation, expression, purification, normalization, quality control, and sample tracking.
• Identify and resolve complex, recurring workflow issues; develop and implement process improvements, standardize methods, and monitor throughput, turnaround time, and quality performance.
• Execute and prioritize high-throughput molecular biology work, including molecular cloning, nucleic acid preparation, PCR-based workflows, construct processing, and associated quality-control activities.
• Support transient sample production, including plant care and staging, transformation, agroinfiltration, leaf-disc preparation, and workflow documentation.
• Develop, evaluate, validate, and implement novel or improved microbe- and plant-based protein-expression processes and systems to expand platform capabilities.
• Design and execute experiments to generate high-quality samples; analyze and interpret results to inform technical decisions and continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate experimental documentation and sample traceability in ELN/LIMS systems; clearly communicate results, observations, and technical recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
• Promote a collaborative, safe, and inclusive working environment, modeling scientific excellence and accountability.

Qualifications

• PhD with 0+ years, MS with 2+ years, or BS with 4+ years of relevant experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing, executing, and optimizing high-throughput sample-production workflows, including purification and quality control.
• Proficiency in high-throughput sample-production techniques, including protein expression, purification, quality control, and sample tracking.

Preferred Requirements

• Direct experience in agricultural biotechnology, life sciences, or a related industry.
• Deep knowledge of microbial, plant, cell-free, and/or other heterologous protein-expression systems, including strain or host optimization and cultivation techniques.
• Experience with transient plant-based sample production.
• Hands-on experience with automated liquid-handling systems, integrated instrumentation, and workflow optimization.

Additional Information

What We Offer: 

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs. 
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day. 
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution. 
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits. 

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. Learn more about our team and our mission here:

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. 

WL: 3A

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