Applied Genetics Lead- Genomic Prediction

Company Description

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions. Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.

Job Description

About Us
We invite you to help us shape the future of agriculture. At Syngenta, we believe every employee has a role to play in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet.  To support this effort, we are currently recruiting for an Applied Genetics Lead for Genomic Prediction in Durham, NC (RTP location). Other Syngenta location might be considered.

The Applied Genetics Lead will play instrumental role on developing and executing technical strategies and delivering on key milestones towards predictive breeding objectives of the Vegetable Seeds Development organization.

The incumbent will lead teams focusing on:

• Implementing genomic prediction across stages of breeding pipelines to accelerate genetic gain in vegetable breeding across crops and regions
• Optimizing predictive ability for selection of traits to deliver on product profiles
• Monitoring germplasm structure and diversity to shape and optimize the germplasm development process

 

Qualifications

Accountabilities

• Lead genomic selection initiatives focusing on predictive modeling for optimal selection of parents, progeny and hybrids, and germplasm advancement in partnership with Germplasm Development teams
• Develop technical strategies to maximize genomic selection outcomes and lead teams towards successful execution
• Drive design, analysis, and execution of genomic selection initiatives directly or through others, and ensure timely delivery during advancement cycles and within budget
• Drive cross-functional collaborations, leverage existing knowledge and expertise, and foster creativity to accelerate genomic selection implementation and adoption across vegetable crops
• Influence adoption of genomic prediction methods, contribute towards their integration in the germplasm development process and the transformation of respective breeding schemes
• Ensure continuous improvement of training sets and increase in prediction accuracy to optimize selection schemes for target traits in alignment with product profiles and market segment needs
• Contribute towards the development of novel tools, modeling approaches and methodologies in partnership with Analytics and Data Science teams to drive continuous improvement of genomic prediction workflows and facilitate the delivery of enterprise level capabilities and IT solutions
• Develop germplasm strategies in collaboration with Germplasm Development teams by driving studies on germplasm characterization, structure, and diversity, and applying learnings across relevant crops.
• Keep up to date with internal and external scientific advancements in germplasm, genomic and data science toolbox and methodologies. Spearhead initiatives that advance innovation in vegetable teams.
• Coach/mentor direct reports and extended team members and contribute towards employee development on day-to-day basis. Participate in recruiting or people initiatives as appropriate

Requirements

• PhD in Quantitative Genetics, Statistical Genetics, or related field
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in R&D setting
• Expertise in genomic prediction methodology, breeding methods, quantitate genetics, statistics and experimental design, and relevant genotyping technologies
• Advanced data fluency and excellent command of open-source programming languages
• Demonstrated skills in analysis of large, diverse, and complex datasets
• Ability to lead effectively global cross-disciplinary teams, drive strong collaborations and outstanding team outcomes
• Demonstrated creativity in problem solving and ability to foster scientific innovation in others
• Outstanding communication skills, and ability to distill complex concepts and deliver clear messages to non-expert audience
• Strong growth mindset for continuous learning and development
• Travel within region and internationally up to 10%
   

Additional Information

What We Offer:

• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that start