Data Generation Team Lead

DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC); Illinois; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Benefits Package

Paid Vacation

Education Assistance

Wellness Programs

Flexible work options

Job summary

Syngenta Seeds is seeking a Data Generation Team Lead for our Malta Genotyping lab to oversee a team of technicians performing library preparation, PCR, and sequencing. You will drive quality, efficiency, and cost reductions while coordinating cross-regional projects and new platform implementations.

The role emphasizes people management, training, and process improvements, with a focus on data-driven decision making and KPI monitoring in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Biology, Genetics or related field required.
• Solid understanding of basic laboratory procedures and equipment
• Must be authorized to work for Syngenta in the United States without work authorization sponsorship
• 5+ years of experience working in a professional laboratory preferred with leadership responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Learn the background of experiments and plant breeding projects. Participate in meetings and share relevant information with others.
• Train and support lab technicians.
• Coordinate RealTime PCR, high-throughput PCR, NGS library preparation, and sequencing of libraries on sequencing equipment.
• Perform all aspects of people management of Data Generation team including but not limited to giving feedback and performing annual reviews.
• Develop team professionally by providing guidance and support on skill development.
• Initiate, lead, and carry out continuous improvement on all aspects of the platform to improve capacity and efficiency and to reduce costs.
• Team Leader of fast-paced lab environment with accountability for quality and speed of lab work completed each day.
• Function as a member of a diverse project team and successfully collaborate across teams to analyze and troubleshoot data quality issues.
• Partner and support implementation of new platforms and workflows (automation).
• Change management experience, including driving adoption of new technologies, processes, and ways of working.
• Ability to use dashboards and data analytics for decision-making.
• Experience monitoring KPIs and operational metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Data-driven problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Ability to translate operational data into actionable insights.

Skills

People management

Lab leadership

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture/Biology/Genetics

Tools

Tecan

Biotek Multiflos

centrifuge

sequencers

Job description

Company Description

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

The Data Generation Team Lead in Malta Genotyping lab will oversee a team of lab technicians that execute protocols related to genotyping in a state-of-the-art lab. The protocols include library preparation, PCR, and sequencing. Support of documentation development and maintenance, inventory management and people management.

The role also participates in lab process improvement, root cause analysis, and cost reduction efforts. The Team Lead will interact with peers across the different regions where sample submitters and other genotyping labs are located.

Accountabilities:

• Learn the background of experiments and plant breeding projects. Participate in meetings and share relevant information with others.
• Train and support lab technicians.
• Coordinate RealTime PCR, high-throughput PCR, NGS library preparation, and sequencing of libraries on sequencing equipment.
• Perform all aspects of people management of Data Generation team including but not limited to giving feedback and performing annual reviews.
• Develop team professionally by providing guidance and support on skill development.
• Initiate, lead, and carry out continuous improvement on all aspects of the platform to improve capacity and efficiency and to reduce costs.
• Team Leader of fast-paced lab environment with accountability for quality and speed of lab work completed each day.
• Function as a member of a diverse project team and successfully collaborate across teams to analyze and troubleshoot data quality issues.
• Partner and support implementation of new platforms and workflows (automation).
• Change management experience, including driving adoption of new technologies, processes, and ways of working.
• Ability to use dashboards and data analytics for decision-making.
• Experience monitoring KPIs and operational metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Data-driven problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Ability to translate operational data into actionable insights.
• Perform all activities in accordance with the Syngenta Health, Safety, Environmental Policy and Quality Management/Stewardship guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Biology, Genetics or related field required.
• Solid understanding of basic laboratory procedures and equipment
• Must be authorized to work for Syngenta in the United States without work authorization sponsorship
• 5+ years of experience working in a professional laboratory preferred with leadership responsibilities.

Preferred Requirements

• 5 – 10 years of experience working in a professional laboratory preferred.
• Experience operating and providing general maintenance on the following laboratory equipment: (Tecan, Biotek Multiflos, centrifuge and sequencers) is highly preferred
• 2 - 4 years of people management responsibilities
• Experience working with chemical buffers highly preferred
• Previous DNA extraction or PCR experience highly preferred

Additional Information

What We Offer

• A culture that celebrates belonging & collaboration, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs.
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits.

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.

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