Team Lead of Monocot Crops

Syngenta; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Medical, dental & vision

401k with company match

Paid vacation & holidays

Education assistance

Job summary

Syngenta is seeking a senior scientist to lead GM/GE trait pipelines in controlled growth environments and guide multi-disciplinary teams across maize and soybean projects.

You will supervise field and greenhouse operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive process improvements while coordinating with stakeholders globally. This role requires extensive crop sciences expertise and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• This role requires a Ph.D. with 10+ years in crop sciences or equivalent.
• Experience in crop improvement, trait development, and seed production.
• Ability to plan and execute multi-month projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead timely delivery of GM/GE trait pipelines in controlled environments.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary projects with major field crops like maize and soybean.
• Oversee year-round maize stock production for embryos and support transformation.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional

Project management

Data analysis

Biology

Education

Ph.D. in crop sciences

M.Sc. in crop sciences

B.Sc. in crop sciences

Tools

Argus

Microsoft Office

Databases

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.

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

This role contributes to the development and execution of short-, mid-, and long-term functional strategies while providing scientific, technical, and product expertise to support team goals and key focus areas, particularly within monocot crops such as maize. The individual is responsible for initiating, evaluating, and implementing improvements to established processes and protocols to drive operational excellence and innovation. In addition, the role includes supervisory responsibilities, providing leadership to the team, effectively managing projects and stakeholder relationships, and influencing cross-functional teams both internally and externally. The position also ensures compliance with Syngenta's Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards, biosafety requirements, regulatory obligations, and budgetary controls to support safe, compliant, and efficient business operations.

Accountabilities

• Lead the timely delivery of GM/GE trait pipelines, project goals and milestones in the controlled growth environments (greenhouses and growth chambers)
• Lead team activities to plan, coordinate and execute multi-disciplinary early-stage projects with major field crops such as maize and soybean
• Lead year-round maize stock production for immature high-quality embryos to support transformation
• Operate and continuously upgrade state-of-the-art plant growth facility to meet evolving business needs
• Constantly improve existing pipeline processes and procedures
• Have the foresight to propose and lead innovation projects and think outside the box
• Effective communications and engagement with key stakeholders across a wide range of Traits R&D organization within and outside the company
• Provide high quality practical advice and judgments to others by applying broad knowledge and prior experience
• Syngenta HSE, biosafety and regulatory compliance
• Occasionally work over the weekends and holidays when needed

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. degree with a minimum of 10 years relevant experience in crop sciences; or a M.Sc. degree with a minimum of 15 years relevant experience in crop sciences; or a B.Sc. degree with a minimum of 20 years relevant experience in crop sciences
• Substantial experience in crop improvement, trait development, and seed production
• Able to plan and implement activities over a number of months
• Knowledge in agronomy, genetics, plant breeding, plant physiology, molecular biology, and statistics
• Working knowledge of greenhouse facility, equipment and operations

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with GM/GE regulated materials
• In-depth experience in responding to non-routine situations and to choose the best solution from a range of options
• Proficiency in use of standard Microsoft office software and databases
• Experience in leading and influencing staff, ability to deal with and influence cross functional teams
• Experience in supervising and coaching junior scientists
• Computer skills such as working with databases, environmental controls, and Microsoft Office
• Familiar with the environmental control and automation system such as Argus

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 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, 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.