Machine Learning Scientist

Syngenta; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural innovation firm is seeking a Machine Learning Scientist to work in Crop Protection Research and Development. The role involves analyzing biological data, developing insights for new active ingredient innovation, and collaborating with various teams to enhance predictive modeling capabilities. Ideal candidates will have a postgraduate degree in data science, proficiency in Python, and strong analytical skills. The firm offers an extensive benefits package and a stimulating work environment.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

Bonus scheme

Private medical & life insurance

Flexible working

Training and learning culture

Qualifications

• Strong foundations in data science at postgraduate level with some experience in natural sciences.
• Prior experience in developing machine-learning models relevant to biological outcomes.
• Ability to visualize and communicate results to various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and interpret scientific experiments and data for active ingredient development.
• Collaborate with domain experts to identify analytics opportunities.
• Engage in high-priority digital transformation projects.

Skills

Data science

Machine learning

Python (Pandas, SciPy, Matplotlib)

Analytical problem-solving

Data visualization

Education

Postgraduate degree in data science or related field

Tools

R&D IT software

Predictive modeling tools

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!

About the role

Position: Machine Learning Scientist

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 a Machine Learning Scientist to join our Digital Biology Group in Crop Protection Research and Development. Within this role you will work on Syngenta 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:

• Using exploratory analytical approaches across a range of biological lab, glasshouse & field trial data to identify the key factors impacting on performance on active ingredients.
• Interacting with domain experts to understand scientific questions, our scientific protocols and identify analytics opportunities to drive business value.
• Contributing to strategic business initiatives across Crop Protection data to support decision making and collaborating to design laboratory, glasshouse and field trials.
• Collaborating and influencing the design of Research Biology capabilities to support predictive modelling activities.
• Working with R&D IT and software developers to improve predictive model deployment applications tailored on stakeholder 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 biology studies.
• Working with colleagues and external collaborators understanding their complementary capabilities and integrating them into projects and initiatives.

What we are looking for

• Strong foundations in data science at postgraduate level with some experience in natural sciences (e.g. biology, ecology, environmental sciences).
• Extensive experience in the use of the main data-science, analytics, modelling and visualization Python libraries (i.e Pandas/Polars, SciPy, MatPlotLib).
• Scientific domain knowledge in related fields such as biology or environmental sciences.
• Prior experience in developing machine-learning models relevant to biological outcomes.
• 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-tell 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

We will 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.

Due to exceptionally high interest in this position, we will only consider applications that include: (1) a CV; (2) a cover letter explaining your motivation and suitability for the role; (3) a one-page document in which you tell us how (with which tools and algorithms, following which strategy) you would start exploring a 100MB CSV dataset of efficacy field trial results for a novel crop protection product including assessments for multiple crop types, trial sites and weather conditions.

Please upload your CV, your cover letter and the one-page document in separate files named "CV_###", "Cover_Letter_###", and "Answer_###", replacing '###' with your family name.

What we offer

• Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance (depends on the contracting country).
• Flexible working.
• 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 a top 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