Research Biologist

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 Hiring Team is seeking a Onsite Research Biologist in Jealott's Hill, UK. Accountabilities: - Work efficiently, independently and as part of a team for carrying out experimental work using established and novel herbicide resistance methods. - Responsible for maintaining and purification of critical Amaranthus biotypes needed to support resistant seed tests, and any ad-hoc tests supporting other screening platforms. - Assist Platform lead with identification and purification of new weed biotypes needed to support resistant seed tests. Identify key biotypes and purify seed lots. - Use BioME database as seed inventory. Visualise Resistance Seed data with Spotfire. Visualise genomic data with Geneious. - Assist with planning and delivering plant units for spray tests, monitor glasshouse conditions ensuring they are appropriate for good plant health. Liaise with the Horticultural Operations Team when necessary. - Process seeds using appropriate equipment; ensure seed quality is maintained and apply germination treatments when required. - Support seed outsourcing at other Syngenta sites i.e. Vero Beach, Stein and other external institutions and companies. - Identify issues, non-conformities, problem-solve if these occur, and put measures into place to reduce likelihood of recurrence. - Ensure that all work is conducted within Syngenta’s policies and standards on quality and safety. Knowledge, experience & capabilities Education & Experience - B.Sc. degree or and 5 years’ experience in a related field (preferred) - Demonstrates expertise and knowledge relating to the resistance research platform - Demonstrates expertise and in-depth knowledge in current research platform (minimum 3 – 5 years) Critical knowledge/experience - Strong knowledge of plant biology and herbicides as it related to the screening operations at Jealott’s Hill; ideally also with knowledge on weed control and some agronomics. - Strong knowledge of seed biology and germination methods. - Good knowledge in plant genetics and herbicide resistance. - Ability to work in the laboratory: knowledge on herbicide formulation and laboratory techniques. - Use of Microsoft office programs and data capture programs used in the screening operations. Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities - Excellent people, interpersonal, organisational and communication skills. - Ability to learn and adapt to using the data collection programs at JH - Capable of working constructively and effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment. - Good organisational and multitasking skills Critical leadership capabilities - Customer focused – we focus our actions on our customer’s needs; we develop and sustain strong customer relationships - Innovative – we generate innovative solutions; we challenge the status quo and push boundaries; we try different and novel ways to deal with work problems and opportunities - Decisive – we draw conclusions and choose a timely course of action based on relevant facts, constraints and probable consequences - Communicative – we clearly convey information and ideas; we encourage open and continuous communication; we are keen to listen and learn - Trusted – we develop and maintain an environment of openness, trust and integrity; we gain the confidence our stakeholders - Team-Oriented – we actively participate as members of a team to move the team toward completion of goals; we collaborate effectively across organisational boundaries Results-Oriented – we deliver on our commitments; we set inspirational goals and work tenaciously to reach or exceed them. Desired Qualifications: - Degree level or extensive experience using molecular genetic workflows (Desirable) - Knowledge of Molecular genetics (preferred)