Genetic Project Lead for Tropical Corn

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Syngenta is seeking candidates to work full time in General Santos, Philippines in the following role:

Role Purpose

Active as both a scientist and project manager, the Genetic Project Lead (GPL) for Tropical Corn will use their expertise in innovative molecular plant breeding to help millions of farmers to improve global food security by supporting Syngenta's innovations for sustainable agriculture across the Asia-Pacific region. As a scientist with experience in marker-assisted crop breeding and data analysis, the GPL will pursue novel discovery research, and develop and deploy new molecular breeding strategies. As a key member of the Breeding Product Delivery Team, the GPL will support world class research teams in Asia-Pacific by helping with regional training and adoption of transformative molecular breeding techniques, data modelling, and strategies to develop elite corn inbreds/hybrids for region-specific farmer needs. The GPL will plan, implement, manage, and support the delivery of molecular breeding research projects to develop competitive varieties that give rise to superior performance corn germplasm and seed products for customers.

Accountabilities

Working on product development in a virtual team environment, manage and deliver hybrid/inbred corn molecular breeding and other genomic-based breeding projects across the Asia-Pacific region (APAC). Specifically:

• Plan and execute marker-assisted genetic discovery projects to develop elite corn inbreds/hybrids with key traits defined by the product profiles for target markets:


• Deploy genome-wide prediction platforms (multi-year training sets) to coordinate Breeding Product Delivery Team (BPDT) discovery research and in-depth data analysis.


• Define germplasm projects using unique sources of germplasm for enhanced performance of key phenotypic traits in proven germplasm.


• Assist and coach other breeding project leads (BPLs) within and across BPDTs to design training germplasm sets and strategies, ensuring relevant germplasm is sampled and training set accuracies are validated.


• Exploit linkage, QTL and association analysis to identify and tag loci of interest with molecular markers.


• Apply and share novel breeding techniques such as year-round rapid cycling and advanced double haploid (DH) techniques in conjunction with molecular marker technologies.


• Manage APAC regional resources, logistics and infrastructure required to execute genetic discovery projects:


• Increase marker-assisted breeding in the region.


• Assist and coach other breeding project leads (BPLs) within and across BPDTs to create training sets and to adopt new molecular breeding methodologies.


• Identify and work with the BPDT to solve logistical problems associated with running advanced trialing experiments in the region.


• Link to and communicate with trialing staff at research centers to ensure relevant training for marker-assisted breeding and collection of high quality data.


• Develop and deploy best practices for experimental protocols, analysis, and communication:


• Link with other BPDTs to align efforts for standardization of experimental protocols and analysis.


• Coach other breeding project leads within and across BPDTs to create training data sets and adopt other new molecular breeding methodologies.


• Collaborate on native trait projects in the deployment of results relevant to their BPDT and product profile.


• Aid in interpretation and communicate results to colleagues and project stakeholders globally.


• Support Syngenta’s freedom to operate and IP development through filing invention disclosures and assisting with patent applications

Essential Knowledge & Experience

To be considered, a candidate must have the following:

• Knowledge and experience in experimental design, quantitative genetics, statistical analysis, data modelling, phenotypic data QC, diversity analysis and relevant software applications (R, SAS, Tassel);


• Knowledge and experience in methods and theories of plant breeding, genetics and molecular marker platforms;


• Applied research experience in plant genetics and breeding;


• Project management experience or training; and,


• Effective interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills in English.

Qualifications

1. Ph.D. in agriculture or plant biotechnology/genomics and minimum of 2 years of industry-related experience in molecular plant breeding or data analysis;
   or a M.Sc. agriculture or plant biotechnology/genomics and minimum of 4 years of industry-related experience;
   or equivalent education and experience.
   
   Post-doctoral experience may serve as industry-related experience.


2. Proficiency in English and strong communication skills.


3. Proven ability to work independently and in a global team environment, managing multiple projects and priorities, across cultures and time zones.

About Syngenta

Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities.