Job Description

About Syngenta

At Syngenta Vegetables and Flowers, we're cultivating tomorrow's variety through innovative breeding that brings vibrant colors to gardens and nutritious vegetables to tables worldwide. We combine centuries of seed heritage with cutting-edge innovation to develop resilient, high-performing varieties that thrive in diverse climates. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable horticulture, where every seed holds the potential to enhance lives through better nutrition and natural beauty.

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 Seeds Research Traits Team is seeking an Assistant Plant Pathologist in Woodland, CA. This role will be responsible to conduct plant pathology projects to advance and support Syngenta vegetable seeds development. This will primarily be accomplished through the implementation of plant pathology trials in the greenhouse, laboratory, growth chambers and field.

Accountabilities:

• Support disease diagnostics of vegetable crops.
• Preparation of microbiological media and culture of plant pathogens.
• Plan, coordinate and conduct pathology trials in controlled environments, laboratory, greenhouse and field.
• Responsible for maintenance of plants and evaluation of pathology trials in the greenhouse and field.
• Oversee the activities of support staff related to routine pathology operations.
• Organize pathology seed inventory, laboratory supplies, and chemicals.
• Keep records of laboratory and greenhouse activities, and generate reports and summaries.
• Support station phytosanitary activities.
• Comply with all on-site safety, environmental, and stewardship regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• BS (or MS) in Plant Pathology or Agronomy with +2 years (preferred) of industry settings or relevant experience.
• Background in laboratory testing and general familiarity with laboratory equipment such as pipettes, balances, and pH meters.
• Experience with disease phenotyping efforts and disease evaluation.
• Plant disease assay development.
• Experience with plant care and propagations.
• Experience in plant pathogen culture maintenance and propagation.
• Experience in plant and pathogen nucleic acid extractions, PCR set up and sequence analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to follow technical written protocols.
• Knowledge of biological safety containment is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication is a necessity for this position.
• A strong team player who can work well with others and support the goals of the group is required.
• Detail-oriented, excellent organizational and communication skills (oral and written).

Desired:

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and electronic databases.
• Ability to work in laboratory, greenhouse, growth chambers and field environment.
• Some local travel may be required to assist with field activities.
• Ability to execute assigned routine tasks with minimal supervision.
• Spanish language a plus.
• Dedication to working safely in accordance with company safety policies and practices.

Additional Information

Salary for this position ranges between $59,200 - $74,000 annually.

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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI

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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