Senior Process Chemist

Syngenta Group; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Bonus scheme

Private medical & life insurance

Up to 31.5 days annual holiday

Hybrid working option

Job summary

Syngenta Crop Protection is seeking a Senior Process Chemist at the Huddersfield Manufacturing Centre to drive process optimization for active-ingredient production. The role blends hands-on lab work with data-driven decision making to enhance efficiency and deliver sustainable solutions.

Key responsibilities include planning experiments, supporting automation and digital tools, leading improvement projects, and ensuring compliance.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or MSc in Chemistry with 2+ years of industrial experience.
• Excellent practical skills in experimental and analytical techniques.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking.
• Experience with literature searching and information systems.
• Ability to plan work independently over extended periods.
• Effective communication across formats and teams.
• Strong focus on safety and regulatory compliance.
• Digital chemistry knowledge (automation, coding, LLMs).
• Statistical analysis expertise.
• Analytical method development capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and carry out chemical experiments on active-ingredient processes up to multi-kilo scale.
• Support automation, digital tools, and data practices; apply coding and automation to opportunities.
• Generate and lead improvement projects from planning to implementation.
• Communicate progress with cross-functional teams; share results and insights.
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks and technical reports.
• Ensure compliance with site, company, and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to innovation through knowledge sharing and proactive ideas.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Digital chemistry

Automation experience

Statistical analysis

Independent planning

Education

PhD in Chemistry

MSc in Chemistry + 2+ years industrial experience

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

Join our dynamic Chemical Manufacturing team as a Senior Process Chemist, where you'll drive process optimization and innovation in active ingredient production. This role combines hands-on laboratory work with data-driven decision making to enhance our manufacturing processes, improve efficiency, and deliver sustainable solutions.
Key Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare and carry out chemical experiments on new and existing active-ingredient processes, up to multi-kilo scale.
• Support the adoption and effective use of laboratory automation, digital tools and structured data practices; apply prior automation experience to identify suitable opportunities and help build team capability.
• Generate and lead improvement projects from planning through implementation
• Communicate with cross-functional teams to exchange information and progress development work
• Maintain detailed documentation in lab notebooks and technical reports
• Ensure compliance with site, company, and regulatory requirements
• Contribute to innovation through knowledge sharing and proactive idea development

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry OR Masters in Chemistry with 2+ years industrial experience
• Excellent practical skills in experimental and analytical techniques
• Strong problem-solving abilities and analytical thinking
• Experience with literature searching and information systems
• Proven ability to plan work independently over extended periods
• Effective communication skills across various formats and cross-functional teams
• Strong focus on safety and compliance
• Digital chemistry knowledge (automation, coding, large language models)
• Statistical analysis expertise
• Analytical method development capabilities

Additional Information

At the Huddersfield Manufacturing Centre we make important Crop Protection products that are used in over 120 countries worldwide. These products help our growers to meet the ever‑increasing demand for food, feed and fuel, and our talented & dedicated teams make this possible.

The Huddersfield team is proactive, driven, and friendly, with a strong emphasis on diversity, equality and inclusion. We work cross functionally to get the job done – come and join us!

What we offer

• An extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• 37.5 working hours per week Mon – Fri
• 3.5 rota days off over Christmas + hours bank of 41 hours to use throughout the year for occasional time off.
• Flexible working – the role allows for flexibility of hours and hybrid working is open to individual requests where it fits with business needs.
• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.
• A strong learning culture and a wide range of training and development opportunities, including support for externally recognized professional qualifications.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top 5 employer and number 1 in agriculture by Science Journal.

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.