Protein Design Scientist

Syngenta Seeds; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Full Benefits Package

401k with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Syngenta Seeds in Durham, NC seeks a PhD-level Protein Design Scientist to drive AI-first trait discovery, leveraging protein language models and generative design to explore sequence-function relationships.

You will collaborate with wet-lab teams, adapt open-source models, and translate ML outputs into actionable insights for crop improvements. This role blends computational biology with hands-on biological work in a fast-moving AgTech environment.

Qualifications

• PhD with +1-year experience in bioinformatics or related field focusing on protein sequence/structure modeling.
• ML models applied to protein design, variant libraries, or property prediction.
• Deep understanding of protein sequence-structure-function relationships.
• Ability to translate complex ML outputs to actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration with wet-lab teams and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize computational workflows for large-scale variant design and property prediction.
• Deploy and fine-tune biomolecular ML models to support trait pipelines.
• Collaborate with wet-lab teams to integrate experimental data into design loops.
• Communicate complex ML concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay updated with protein design literature and bring new tools to the team.

Skills

Protein design

ML for proteins

Python

Deep learning

pLMs

Bayesian optimization

Education

PhD in bioinformatics / computational biology / biochemistry / biophysics

Tools

PyTorch

JAX

AlphaFold

Foldseek

Docker

Job description

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

As a Protein Design Scientist, you leverage an AI-first approach, utilizing protein language models (pLMs) and generative sequence design to explore sequence-function relationships and pioneer next-generation agricultural traits. As an Applied ML Scientist, you are a hypothesis-driven scientist who leverages and adapts open-source machine learning models to biological data, addressing complex biological questions where data may be sparse and expensive to generate. You are also a collaborative team player who thrives in the dry-to-wet lab loop by turning agricultural and trait challenges into practical machine learning hypotheses and projects, while translating complex ML concepts and outputs into clear, practical suggestions for diverse stakeholders.

Accountabilities:

• Design & Optimize:Formulate biological hypotheses and design computational workflows for large scale variant design and property prediction to accelerate trait discovery
• Deploy ML Models:Implement, adapt, and tune state-of-the-art biomolecular ML models—including single-sequence LMs, generative models, co-evolutionary aware architectures, and 3D structural prediction models—to drive innovative projects for the trait pipeline
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally:Partner closely with wet-lab research teams to design variant libraries, leveraging active learning and Bayesian optimization to iteratively integrate experimental screening data into design loops
• Communicate Insights:Communicate complex deep learning concepts, protocols, and project progress clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Innovate:Monitor the rapidly changing protein design literature and bring promising new tools and project ideas to the team

Qualifications

• PhD with +1-year experience in bioinformatics, computational biology, biochemistry & biophysics, or a related field with a focus on protein sequence or structure modeling
• ML and pLM Experience: Demonstrated hands-on experience developing, adapting, or fine-tuning machine learning models for protein sequence design, variant library generation, protein property prediction, or related biomolecular engineering tasks
• Protein Science Expertise:Deep understanding of protein sequence-structure-function relationships
• Scientific Problem Solving:Proven ability to transform complex biological challenges into actionable, ML/DL computational hypotheses to support the trait pipeline
• Collaborative Communication:Strong communication skills with a track record of working effectively alongside experimental/wet-lab scientists
• ML & Deep Learning Engineering: Experience working with Python and deep learning libraries (like PyTorch or JAX) to adapt or fine-tune open-source models

Desired Qualifications:

• Structural Integration and biophysics: Experience integrating protein structural information, including structure prediction models (AlphaFold, Boltz), structure-aware design methods (ProteinMPNN, GNNs, structure-conditioned pLMs, Foldseek 3Di), or physics-based approaches (Rosetta, molecular dynamics) to augment sequence-based design and prediction workflows.
• Wet-Lab History: Strong familiarity of or experience in wet-lab workflows—either in library design or generating screening data for model training or validating designed variants (e.g., protein characterization)—to facilitate seamless communication with experimental partners
• Compute and data: Familiarity querying large-scale biological datasets, working in cloud environments (AWS, HPC), and utilizing containerized workflows (Docker, Singularity, Nextflow)
• Industry Experience:Prior experience in agricultural biotechnology, plant biology, or a strong interest in translating computational protein design to crop science

Additional Information

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. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs.
• Full Benefit Package (Medical,Dental& Vision) that starts your first day.
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.
• 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,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.