Synthetic Biotransformation Principal Scientist

Syngenta; Bracknell; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Synthetic Biotransformation Principal Scientist to innovate in biotechnology synthesis. This role involves optimizing enzyme use for crop protection products, collaborating across functions, and utilizing data science principles to enhance biocatalysis capabilities. Join a vibrant R&D team dedicated to improving global food security through innovative solutions. Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. If you're passionate about science and collaboration, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Healthcare benefits

Generous pension

Flexible working hours

31.5 days annual holiday

Qualifications

• Experience in biocatalysis and enzyme optimization for chemical transformations.
• Strong collaboration skills to work across functions and teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver biotransformation services with impactful business results.
• Build expertise in biocatalysis and partner across functions.

Skills

Biocatalysis

Enzyme optimization

Protein purification

Data science principles

Collaboration

Education

PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

UPLC

LC/MS

Job description

Pay Competitive

Employment type Full-Time

Job Description

• Req#: 18051018

Syngenta is a leading science-based ag-tech company dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 30,000 employees in more than 90 countries work together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. A diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment are enablers of our ambition to be the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture.

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.

Role Purpose

Synthetic Biotransformation Principal Scientist – an exciting opportunity to help Syngenta build a biotechnology synthesis platform for the discovery and development of the next generation crop protection products. In this practical role, you will be working primarily in the R&D chemistry laboratories at Jealotts Hill.

Skills of interest would include the use of Biocatalysis (enzymes and/or microorganisms) for screening and optimisation of chemical transformations. This individual would need to be entrepreneurial and highly collaborative with the role involving international and cross-functional customers and delivery partners.

You will be involved in:

• Delivering biotransformation services and innovation which has demonstrable business impact across projects, Chemistry and strategically important areas e.g. process chemistry, metabolite synthesis & discovery
• Building biocatalysis expertise throughout global chemistry, embracing a continuous growth and development mindset
• Partnering with functions across Syngenta (e.g. Biologicals, bioscience, PTAI) to create a synergistic biocatalysis environment across Crop Protection

Key Accountabilities, Behaviours and Skills

Excellence in Science

• Optimize the use of enzymes in synthesis
• Use of screening technologies, including automation, for discovery and optimisation purposes
• Enzyme expression in a single or multiple hosts using appropriate expression constructs
• Protein purification and characterization skills
• Reaction monitoring including the development of appropriate assays (e.g. UPLC, LC/MS) to detect intermediates and products
• Techno-economic profiling of biosynthesis approaches
• Help build a new and exciting technology platform to meet the organisation’s strategic goals

Collaboration

• Ability to develop strong internal networks across Chemistry, Bioscience and collaborators across R&D in order to ensure that we continue to meet business requirements in an efficient and effective way.
• Develop own network of contacts and collaborators across functions, sites, product lines, collaborating with internal experts across scientific disciplines

Digital and Data Mindset

• Apply a “digital and data mindset” by understanding and applying sound data science principles
• Champion a FAIR culture, capturing and analysing data in this way to maximise the delivery of biocatalysis capabilities and ensure a data-joined culture across functions.
• Think expansively about how digital innovation will shape the future of biocatalysis internally and externally. Embed as an integral aspect of the growth strategy.

Key Behaviours

• Innovative, creative, and open to new approaches
• Proactively identifies, promotes, and delivers areas for change with collaborative mindset
• Mentors and develops colleagues in own areas of expertise and acts as a role model for others

Why join Syngenta?

Syngenta will offer:

• A commitment to innovation
• Leading edge technology
• Competitive salary and benefits scheme including bonus, healthcare & generous pension
• Flexible working hours
• 31.5 days annual holiday
• Vibrant R&D focused workforce with wide and varied social communities to join

We embrace and encourage diversity, and this is what drives our innovation and lets us outperform the market. Diversity and Inclusion

Did you know? Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal.

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About the company

A leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources.