Bioinformatics Intern - Protein Design

Syngenta AG; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Professional development resources

Ongoing career development resources

Meaningful, innovative projects

Job summary

Syngenta invites a Bioinformatics Intern to join the Protein Design team in Durham, NC. You will work within a high-performance scientific group, applying computational protein design to generate novel candidates and minibinders for targeted proteins.

The Emerging Talent Program offers hands-on experience, exposure to day-to-day operations, and opportunities to apply academic knowledge to real-world agricultural biotech challenges. Duration: May 2027 to August 2027.

Qualifications

• Current MS or PhD student in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, or related field.
• Proficiency in Python and basic Bash scripting.
• Basic understanding of protein structure concepts, including protein domains, structural alignment, and protein-protein interfaces.
• Familiarity with protein structure prediction methods such as Boltz-2 or AlphaFold.
• Familiarity with generative protein design or sequence design tools such as RFdiffusion or ProteinMPNN.
• Familiarity with protein structure visualization tools (PyMOL).
• Experience with Linux/Unix command-line environments.

Responsibilities

• Leverage open-source protein design and structure prediction workflows using tools such as ProteinMPNN, BoltzGen, and Boltz-2.
• Design, rank, and filter protein candidates based on predicted structure, interface quality, and computational metrics.
• Perform structural analysis and annotation of designed proteins and protein-protein interfaces.
• Test and run computational protein design tools in Linux, HPC, or cloud-based environments such as AWS.
• Develop Python/Bash scripts for data processing, workflow automation, and visualization.
• Document workflows, create user guides and READMEs, and present findings to cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with and take guidance from other scientists to refine design strategy based on biological insights.
• Summarize design results in clear reports, visualizations, and recommendations for follow-up testing.

Skills

Python

Bash scripting

Linux/Unix

Education

MS or PhD student in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/Structural Biology/Biochemistry/CS

Tools

ProteinMPNN

BoltzGen

Boltz-2

PyMOL

AWS

Job description

Company Description

About Syngenta

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops,we'reshaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel.We’rea 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.

Job Description

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. We invite you to help shape the future of agriculture and play a role in safely feeding the world while caring for our planet.

Syngenta's Bioinformatics Team is seeking a Protein Design Intern in Durham, NC. This internship role will be part of a high-performance scientific team, developing cutting-edge skills in computational protein design to deliver innovative solutions for agricultural biotechnology.

As part of Syngenta's Emerging Talent Program, you will gain hands-on experience, exposure to day-to-day business operations, and opportunities to apply your academic knowledge to real-world challenges while developing your professional skills.

Duration: May 2027 - August 2027

Role Purpose

• Apply computational protein design methods to generate novel protein candidates and minibinders to selected targets.
• Optimize workflows that integrate protein design, structure prediction, and ranking approaches to identify promising candidates.
• Evaluate designed protein variants using sequence- and structure-based analyses.

Accountabilities

• Leverage open-source protein design and structure prediction workflows using tools such as ProteinMPNN, BoltzGen, and Boltz-2.
• Design, rank, and filter protein candidates based on predicted structure, interface quality, and computational metrics.
• Perform structural analysis and annotation of designed proteins and protein-protein interfaces.
• Test and run computational protein design tools in Linux, HPC, or cloud-based environments such as AWS.
• Develop Python/Bash scripts for data processing, workflow automation, and visualization.
• Document workflows, create user guides and READMEs, and present findings to cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate with and take guidance from other scientists to refine design strategy based on biological insights.
• Summarize design results in clear reports, visualizations, and recommendations for follow-up testing.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Current MS or PhD student in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, or related field.

Technical:

• Proficiency in Python and basic Bash scripting.
• Basic understanding of protein structure concepts, including protein domains, structural alignment, and protein-protein interfaces.
• Familiarity with protein structure prediction methods such as Boltz-2 or AlphaFold.
• Familiarity with generative protein design or sequence design tools such as RFdiffusion or ProteinMPNN.
• Familiarity with protein structure visualization tools (PyMOL).
• Experience with Linux/Unix command-line environments.

Analytical:

• Ability to work with large datasets and implement reproducible computational workflows.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience evaluating protein-protein interfaces using structural or energetic metrics (e.g. PyRosetta).
• Knowledge of protein databases such as PDB, UniProt, AlphaFoldDB, or ESM Metagenomic Atlas.
• Experience with HPC or cloud computing environments, such as AWS.
• Experience with workflow automation, containerized tools, or reproducible software environments.
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Enthusiasm for learning new computational methods and tools.
• Experience presenting technical work to diverse audiences.

Additional Information

Salary for this position ranges between $20 - $45 hourly.

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.
• Competitive wages
• Ongoing career development resources
• The opportunity to work on meaningful, innovative projects that solve problems

Syngenta is committed to creatinga culturethat celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development, and strides for a work-life balance that supports the team members

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,promotionor any other employment practices for reasons ofrace, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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