Data Scientist - Agriculture

Syngenta Group; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme

Private medical & life insurance

Training options

Job summary

Syngenta Crop Protection, part of the Syngenta Group, invites a Data Scientist to join our Global Data Analytics & Predictive Science Team in Product Biology. You will analyze historical biological data to uncover patterns, build ML models, and drive insights for active ingredient development across R&D.

You will collaborate with scientists and IT to deploy data-driven solutions, model field trials, and support strategic initiatives in a multinational, innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate data science training with applications in natural sciences (biology/environmental sciences).
• Experience using Python data-science libraries, ML and DL techniques.
• Domain knowledge in environmental sciences or biology helpful.
• Experience developing ML models for biological or crop protection outcomes.
• Familiarity with generative AI for data exploration or acceleration is a plus.
• Ability to translate complex data results for stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Analyse historical biological field trial data to identify patterns affecting product performance.
• Collaborate with domain experts to uncover analytics opportunities and business value.
• Support R&D initiatives by interpreting diverse data to guide trial design and decision making.
• Guide technical managers in designing field trials to validate hypotheses and models.
• Work with IT and software teams to improve data-model integration and deploy tailored applications.
• Explore new modelling approaches and analytical tools for ongoing improvement.
• Engage in digital transformation projects to accelerate data science impact.

Skills

Data science foundations

Python for data science

Machine learning

Biology/environmental science

Data visualization

Communication to non-specialists

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Postgraduate data science degree

Job description

Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group.

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture!

Job Description

Position: Data Scientist - Agriculture

Location:We could consider candidates based at additional locations within Europe

Application process: Carefully read instructions in "Additional Information" section

We have an exciting opportunity for Data Scientiststo join our Global Data Analytics & Predictive Science Team in Product Biology department. Within these roles you will work on Syngenta historical biological data to uncover patterns and deliver new data-driven insights for active ingredient development across R&D functions. You will be asked to analyse and interpret the outcome of scientific experiments with your analytical skills as well as machine learning approaches. Your work will bring forward our understanding of biological performance in crop protection and guide design, optimization and development of novel crop protection solutions. Key responsibilities will include:

• Driving historical data analysis of biological field trials by identifying patterns and analyzing the impact of key factors including product formulations, rates, mixtures, agricultural practices, and environmental conditions on product performance.
• Supporting domain experts in understanding product performance and identifying analytics opportunities to drive business value.
• Contributing to strategic business initiatives across Crop Protection R&D by interpreting physical chemistry, biokinetic, formulation, marketing and environmental data to support decision taking and design laboratory, glasshouse and field trials.
• Guiding technical managers in designing field trials aimed at validating scientific hypotheses and model predictions.
• Working with R&D IT and software developers to improve data-models integrations and to deploy applications tailored on shareholders’ needs.
• Monitoring and exploring new modelling approaches, analytical tools and methodologies.
• Engaging with high-priority digital transformation projects to understand opportunities to accelerate the impact of data science for predictive field trialing.
• Working with colleagues and external collaborators understanding their complementary capabilities and integrating them into projects and initiatives.

Qualifications

What we are looking for

• Strong foundations in data science at postgraduate level with applications in natural sciences (e.g. biology, ecology, environmental sciences).
• Proven experience in the use of the main data-science, -analytics, modelling and visualization Python libraries, including machine learning and deep learning ones.
• Scientific domain knowledge in related fields such as environmental sciences or biology.
• Prior experience in developing machine-learning models relevant to biological or crop protection outcomes.
• Hands-on experience leveraging generative AI (genAI) approaches for data exploration, model development, or research acceleration is a plus.
• Knowledge of data analysis and extracting data insights and new understanding, while communicating scientific and data concepts to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Adaptability to different business challenges and data types / sources and to learn and utilize a range of different analytical tools and methodologies.
• Ability to visualize and story-telling with data to communicate results to shareholders with different levels of technical proficiency.
• Analytical problem-solving skills with innovative thinking, while effectively collaborating across diverse teams and managing multiple priorities in a multicultural scientific environment.

Additional Information

Location

We could consider candidates based at additional locations within Europe. You may be required to travel to international R&D locations and to work with collaborators globally.

What we offer

• Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance (depends on the contracting country).
• A position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.
• Learning culture and a wide range of training options.

Syngenta has been ranked as atop 5 employer and number 1 in agriculture by Science Magazine for the 8th consecutive year.

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. Learn more about our D&I initiatives here: https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion