Job Description

About Syngenta

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.

THIS IS A 3-YEAR FIXED-TERM POSITION LOCATED IN DURHAM, NC

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 a Postdoctoral Scholar in Durham, NC. This role will explore and develop methods for the discovery of novel insecticidal protein sequences, with responsibility for the production and characterization of insecticidal proteins.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will apply expertise in protein expression methods and systems, such as bacterial, plant, and other relevant platforms, to generate high-quality data that supports project team decision-making. The role also requires synthesizing results and clearly communicating progress, findings, and challenges to scientists and stakeholders. As an active member of the Trait Discovery group, you will contribute to innovation, troubleshooting, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across multiple projects.

Accountabilities:

• Quickly adapt to new tasks and experimental protocols.
• Deliver reproducible results to group or project members in a timely manner.
• Maintain an up-to-date electronic lab notebook that details experimental procedures and results.
• Design, plan, perform, and interpret experiments independently or in collaboration with other scientists.
• Conduct research in accordance with, or exceeding, all relevant HSE guidelines.
• Contribute to a congenial group environment, fostering scientific rigor, safety, and collaboration.

Qualifications

Required:

• PhD degree (in the field of Biochemistry or related areas).
• Applicant should be 3 years or less from PhD granting date
• Significant experience in producing proteins, followed by their characterization with respect to activity, stability, and solubility.
• Use of FPLC methods to purify proteins, with knowledge of various chromatography techniques.
• Familiarity with transformation and growth of E. coli protein expression strains.
• In-depth knowledge of protein structure-function principles and structure-guided mutagenesis.
• Prior experience with protein engineering applications to improve protein properties, such as activity, expression, and/or solubility.
• Must be able to work proficiently in a team-based, project-focused, and changing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.

Desired:

• Knowledge of bioinformatics tools, such as BLAST.
• Proficient in using protein structure visualization software, such as PyMOL.
• Familiarity with DNA/protein sequence databases, such as Geneious Prime.
• Experience with cloning methods and manipulation of protein expression constructs.
• Knowledge of methods for quantifying the purity and concentration of protein stocks.
• Experience designing protein purification methods/schemes using FPLC software.
• Experience using deep learning tools/LLMs to accomplish protein engineering goals.

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: 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: 4B

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