Trait Assessment Scientist

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.

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta's Trait Assessment team is seeking a Trait Assessment Scientist in El Ejido, Almería.

This role will support the delivery of robust disease resistance evaluations and phenotyping innovations by designing and validating cutting-edge protocols, integrating molecular and bioinformatics tools, and leading epidemiological monitoring efforts. The successful candidate will work on both discovery projects and commercial variety advancement, operating in state-of-the-art facilities while fostering a collaborative environment and contributing to global trait prioritization strategies.

Accountabilities:

Protocol Development & Optimization

• Design, develop, and validate robust phenotyping protocols for evaluating disease resistance across crop varieties.
• Optimize screening methods to ensure high-quality, reproducible resistance assessments.
• Define and validate standards and work instructions for Trait Assessment processes within Syngenta's quality system.

Molecular & Bioinformatics Integration

• Develop and implement molecular tools (PCR, qPCR, sequencing) for monitoring emerging plant health threats.
• Integrate bioinformatics techniques to support phenotypic evaluations, epidemiology studies, and data-driven decision-making.
• Utilize digital phenotyping tools and scales to capture and deliver biotic data effectively.

Epidemiological Monitoring & Disease Scouting

• Perform disease scouting and track pathogen dynamics to assess disease severity in field and controlled environments.
• Contribute data-driven insights to inform trait prioritization strategies and adapt protocols to emerging threats.

Operational Management & Coordination

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee execution of Trait Assessment operational tasks, including management of staff, interns, and seasonal workers.
• Ensure operations comply with best biosafety and HSE practices in modern infrastructure.
• Contribute to the maintenance and optimization of Trait Assessment equipment and facilities.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze and interpret complex phenotypic datasets using bioinformatics and statistical tools.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations for project teams, leadership, and global or regional stakeholders.
• Participate in technical networks to share insights and learnings across crops and locations

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance Trait Assessment platforms and pathogen detection methodologies.
• Drive implementation of state-of-the-art technologies, methods, and procedures to promote a culture of innovation.
• Build and maintain relationships with external experts and research collaborators to stay at the forefront of scientific advancements.

Leadership & Team Development

• Foster a collaborative environment by sharing expertise and providing coaching or mentoring to team members.
• Support the professional development of colleagues and assume supervisory responsibilities as needed.
• Influence and navigate the needs of diverse global stakeholders with different backgrounds, cultures, and languages.

Required Qualifications: 

Education & Experience

• Master's or PhD in Plant Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, or related field with 8+ years of hands-on experience in pathology (preferably horticulture).
• Proven experience conducting multiple trials simultaneously across laboratory, field, and controlled environments.
• Experience leading projects, managing teams, and working with biosafety protocols and regulated materials.

Technical Expertise

• Expert knowledge in plant pathology, crop pests/diseases, and trait assessment platforms.
• Advanced proficiency in molecular biology techniques (PCR, qPCR, sequencing) and bioinformatics (data analysis, statistical modeling, visualization).
• Strong understanding of plant breeding, molecular markers, and statistical principles for trial design and analysis.

Core Competencies

• Analytical, solution-oriented mindset with demonstrated ability to solve complex problems independently.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with proven ability to influence stakeholders, build consensus, and inspire teams.
• Capacity to deliver high-quality data and analytics that drive decision-making.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Experience working in global or multicultural environments.
• Familiarity with quantitative data management and advanced analytics.
• Previous exposure to commercial variety development processes.
• Proven ability to drive innovation and implement new technologies in research settings.

Location: Spain (local activities with global contribution)
Travel: This role may require occasional international travel.
Scope: Work with a wide portfolio of crops, pests, and pathogens, engaging with global stakeholders and contributing to worldwide trait assessment strategies.

What We Offer

• Work-life balance: we offer flexible working hours to support a healthy balance between personal and professional life.
• Remote work: we have a remote work policy applicable when the nature of the role allows.
• Trust: we believe that freedom, trust, and responsibility are the foundation for our teams to grow and reach their full potential.
• Competitive compensation: a comprehensive package including fixed salary, bonus, pension plan, life insurance, and a wide range of flexible benefits to choose from (Meal Vouchers, WellHub, among others).
• Professional development: opportunities for growth and career advancement.
• Continuous learning: training programs with access to platforms such as Degreed, LinkedIn Learning, and language courses.

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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