Genomics & Phenotyping Data Science Intern

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Work-life balance

Job summary

Syngenta Seeds is seeking a Digital Genomics Prediction Intern in Durham, NC to contribute to phenotyping data and breeding strategies. You will work with a team of breeders, agronomists, and data scientists on cutting-edge agricultural analytics, gaining hands-on experience with phenotyping infrastructure and computational pipelines.

The program runs May 2027 through August 2027, offering exposure to day-to-day operations, and opportunities to develop professional skills in a real-world setting.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as a graduate student in an accredited college/university.
• Pursuing degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Science, Agronomy, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Biology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Entomology, Weed science, Crop Science, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with agricultural research, remote sensing, field trials, or crop production systems beneficial.
• Programming proficiency in Python and/or R for data analysis and visualization.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with geospatial datasets.
• Understanding of GIS software (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS) and spatial databases.
• Experience with machine learning applications in remote sensing (classification, regression, object detection).

Responsibilities

• Support phenotyping platform operations such as sensor deployment, image acquisition, and field data collection across greenhouse and field environments.
• Contribute to image processing workflows, trait extraction algorithms, and analytical pipeline optimization using advanced computational tools.
• Lead an independent research initiative focused on phenotyping methodology validation or trait measurement innovation, culminating in a presentation to research leadership.
• Partner with plant breeders, agronomists, and data scientists to integrate phenotypic insights into breeding decisions and product development.
• Maintain detailed experimental records, standard operating procedures, and technical documentation to ensure reproducibility.

Skills

Python

R

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Geospatial data

Machine learning (remote sensing)

Education

Graduate student in Plant Breeding / Data Science / Computer Science (or related fields)

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

Spatial databases

Job description

Syngenta Seeds is seeking a Digital Genomics Prediction Intern in Durham, NC to contribute to phenotyping data and breeding strategies. You will work with a team of breeders, agronomists, and data scientists on cutting-edge agricultural analytics, gaining hands-on experience with phenotyping infrastructure and computational pipelines.

The program runs May 2027 through August 2027, offering exposure to day-to-day operations, and opportunities to develop professional skills in a real-world setting.