Breeding Intern- Cucurbits Germplasm Development

DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation; Woodland (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Competitive wages

Meaningful projects

Work-life balance

Job summary

Syngenta is seeking a Breeding Intern for Cucurbits Germplasm Development in Woodland, CA. This learning-oriented internship offers hands-on exposure to vegetable seeds development, supporting the Cucurbits breeding team across multiple crops.

You will gain experience through the Emerging Talent Program, working on field activities, data collection, and trait discovery, with mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Pursuing a bachelor’s or advanced degree in Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Genetics, Agronomy or related major.
• Bilingual English/Spanish ideal but not required.
• All applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Foster an operational culture founded on adherence to all applicable HSE and other corporate policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Support the Breeding Team in field-related activities for the evaluation of new experimental hybrids and new inbred lines.
• Implement High-Throughput Phenotyping protocols in Cucurbit programs.
• Implement electronic data collection protocols and procedures; collect, document, and curate data for accuracy and integrity.
• Manage and lead field crew activities during the field evaluation season.
• Assist breeding and market segment teams in collecting data for trait discovery and validation projects.
• Perform other duties as required to meet project needs.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent

Detail-oriented

Microsoft Office

Plant breeding knowledge

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Plant Biology/Plant Breeding/Horticulture/Genetics/Agronomy or related

Job description

Breeding Intern- Cucurbits Germplasm Development

At Syngenta Vegetables and Flowers, we're cultivating tomorrow's variety through innovative breeding that brings vibrant colors to gardens and nutritious vegetables to tables worldwide. We combine centuries of seed heritage with cutting-edge innovation to develop resilient, high-performing varieties that thrive in diverse climates. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable horticulture, where every seed holds the potential to enhance lives through better nutrition and natural beauty.

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 Operations & Trialing Team is seeking a Breeding Intern - Cucurbits Germplasm Development in Woodland, CA. This internship role will introduce you to Vegetable Seeds Development, gaining experience by supporting the Cucurbits breeding team activities. This is a unique learning experience, as the intern will take on several responsibilities across multiple crops.

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: Mid-June 2027 - Mid-September 2027

Accountabilities:

• Foster an operational culture founded on adherence to all applicable HSE and other corporate policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Support the Breeding Team in field-related activities for the evaluation of new experimental hybrids and new inbred lines.
• Implement High-Throughput Phenotyping protocols in Cucurbit programs.
• Implement electronic data collection protocols and procedures; collect, document, and curate data for accuracy and integrity.
• Manage and lead field crew activities during the field evaluation season.
• Assist breeding and market segment teams in collecting data for trait discovery and validation projects.
• Perform other duties as required to meet project needs.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Student must be pursuing a bachelor's or advanced degree in an applicable discipline (Plant Biology, Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Genetics, Agronomy, or another closely related major is preferred).
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) would be ideal but is not required.
• All applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills to work well with co-workers on tasks.
• An independent individual who is self-motivated and needs little supervision.
• The ability to communicate information (written and spoken) is highly desired.
• Detail-/Accuracy-Oriented: All procedures and policies must be understood and followed.
• Excellent computer skills, such as proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Innovative: Always looking to implement new procedures or technologies to improve work efficiencies.
• Knowledge of plant breeding.

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
• The opportunity to work on meaningful, innovative projects that solve problems

Syngenta is committed to creating a culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members

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.

2179 Sycamore Road, Unit #102

DeKalb, IL 60115

Ph: 815.895.2711

[e-mail]