Applied Genetics Scientist - Molecular Breeding

Company Description

Syngenta Group, a global leader in agricultural technology and innovation, employs 60,000 people across more than 100 countries to transform agriculture through tailor-made solutions for farmers, society, and our planet. Our diverse portfolio encompasses seeds, crop protection, nutrition products, agronomic solutions, and digital services, all designed to help farmers produce healthy food, feed, fiber, and fuel while conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. Our mission is to address critical challenges such as climate change and food security through sustainable practices and cutting-edge solutions, while safeguarding the planet's resources. 

Job Description

Accelerate Crop Innovation Through Advanced Genomics by joining our Applied Genetics team and leverage cutting-edge molecular tools to discover, develop, and deploy breakthrough traits that will shape the future of global vegetable production.

The Purpose

You'll be at the heart of trait innovation for our global vegetable portfolio. Your expertise will drive the discovery and deployment of game-changing traits through breeding pipelines, enabling marker-assisted workflows that dramatically accelerate trait introduction and integration.

You'll design and implement genomic resources and platforms that power our trait and germplasm initiatives, working with some of the most advanced breeding technologies available. Your work directly translates scientific breakthroughs into varieties that growers depend on worldwide, contributing to global food security and agricultural sustainability.

This role offers the unique opportunity to combine deep scientific expertise with practical breeding applications, making tangible impacts on crop improvement at a global scale.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead trait discovery and development projects from conception through execution, partnering with Trait Development and Germplasm Development teams to deliver on target product profiles and coordinate external collaborations.
• Drive advanced genomic analysis including genetic mapping, genome-wide association studies, and genomic prediction to extract actionable trait insights and identify novel favorable alleles aligned with market needs.
• Develop and optimize marker assays for laboratory deployment while continuously improving marker-trait associations and ensuring seamless technology transfer.
• Design and implement genotyping platforms and deploy genomic resources and technologies, curating tools that enable breakthrough research capabilities.
• Enable marker-assisted breeding workflows for efficient trait deployment, ensuring optimal germplasm advancement within budget and timeline constraints while collaborating with breeding teams to maximize marker utility.
• Build comprehensive crop expertise across assigned vegetable crops and market segments to ensure successful technology application and strategic alignment.
• Pioneer methodological advancement by staying current with scientific developments in genetics, genomics, and analytics, proposing and leading development of innovative tools, protocols, and methods.
• Secure and manage intellectual property while maintaining strategic awareness of the IP landscape across relevant crops and technologies.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics or closely related field.
• Deep expertise in Mendelian genetics, quantitative genetics, and molecular genetics. 
• Strong foundation in breeding methodologies, statistics, and experimental design. 
• Proficiency with relevant genomic technologies and platforms.
• High English level.

Critical Experience

• Proven track record in experimental design and statistical analysis of complex datasets.
• Advanced programming skills in open-source languages (R, Python, etc.)
• Demonstrated expertise analyzing large, diverse, and complex genomic datasets.
• Strong data visualization capabilities and experience with modern analytics tools.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Exceptional communication abilities to translate complex genetic concepts for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated creativity and innovation in scientific problem-solving approaches.
• Strong collaborative skills with proven success in cross-disciplinary team environments.
• Results-driven mindset with strong initiative and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Additional Information

• Location: El Ejido, Almería
• Expect 5-10% travel within your region and internationally, providing opportunities to collaborate with global teams and stay connected with field operations and market needs.
• A culture that promotes work/life balance and celebrates diversity.
• Flexible working arragements.
• Extensive benefits package including a pension plan scheme, bonus, life insurance & a pool of flexible benefits to choose (Ticket Restaurant, WellHub, etc.)
• A role that contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.
• Learning culture and a wide range of development options, including access to learning platforms (Degreed and LinkedIn Learning)