Trait Evaluation Researcher

About Syngenta  

Syngenta is a global leader in agricultural innovation with a presence in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is focused on developing technologies and farming practices that empower farmers, so they can make the transformation required to feed the world’s population while preserving our planet. Its bold scientific discoveries deliver better benefits for farmers and society on a bigger scale than ever before. Guided by its Sustainability Priorities, Syngenta is developing new technologies and solutions that support farmers to grow healthier plants in healthier soil with a higher yield. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States. Read our stories and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & X. 

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top-quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta’s R&D Trait Evaluation Team is seeking a Trait Evaluation Researcher in Uberlândia/MG. This role leads and executes business‑critical trait projects within the Syngenta Traits R&D organization by supporting the global seed‑production footprint to ensure high‑quality seed supply and timely progression from research to late development. It assesses the performance of new traits in soybean and corn across regulated seed‑production fields and efficacy/agronomic trials, while ensuring that scientific protocols are properly implemented at internal and external sites. The role requires strong understanding of Brazilian regulations and CTNBio normative resolutions, supports accurate data entry for genotyping and sampling activities, prepares regulatory‑compliant trial completion reports, and maintains an updated and compliant inventory of regulated seed materials. 

Responsibilities:

• Lead recurrency meetings with CROs and Syngenta Operations to guarantee the implementation of the field trials protocols, and provide technical guidance to field staff when needed. 
• Align protocols with operations teams months in advance and before trial implementation. 
• Align insect, diseases and weed management of field trials and nurseries with internal and external operational teams. 
• Visit experimental fields and report the quality status in various locations across Brazilian territory to evaluate trials. 
• Evaluate and take notes on the efficacy of insect and disease trials across Brazil. 
• Support collecting insects and disease spores for artificial infestation/inoculation. 
• Register the tracking trace of all seed movement in nurseries and field trials through regulatory tools, e.g., chain of custody 
• Regularly communicate trial status and issues to the scientific team, opening non-conformities and leading RCA to keep the continuous improvement process. 
• Support scientists in trial planning and execution, and keep all the stakeholders updated about the progress of the project. 
• Support in defining the best strategy for seed production, design, purification, and increasing the process to provide seeds for Product Safety Studies. 
• Evaluate germplasm adaptability, take notes, select/discard sources, and summarize the phenotype adaptability of each material in the nurseries. 
• Lead summarization of key results and learnings in the middle and end of the season through KPIs. 
• Focal point of Quality Management System, with focus on reviewing and improving the documentation and register control for the TE Operations process.   

• Completed bachelor’s degree in agronomy, biology or related field. 
• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in agronomy, plant breeding or related field. 
• Fluency in English, and ability to communicate in Spanish will be a differential. 
• Solid experience in plant breeding, agronomy or related field. 
• Ability to assess the phenotypic characteristics of hybrids and inbred lines under abiotic and biotic stresses. 
• Knowledge to distinguish the characteristics of different inbred line versions compared to their near-isogenic line. 
• Extensive knowledge on handling GM traits under CTNBio requirements. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and management of field experience working with regulated transgenic trials. 
• Ability to write and present results to both technical and non-technical audiences and relate to business impact 
• Ability and availability to travel for field evaluations and observations. 

What We Offer 

• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, 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.   
• 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, 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. 

Be part of a leading company that brings the potential of plants to life.

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