Rice Discovery Breeder

Company Description

We are a leading, science-based agriculture company, empowering farmers to meet the demands of modern agriculture. Using cutting-edge innovation, we help farmers to grow resilient, healthy crops that can feed a growing global population, while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Headquartered in Switzerland, we are a global agritech leader with more than 30,000 employees across over 90 countries.

https://www.syngenta.com/company

Job Description

Role purpose

The Discovery Breeder plays a crucial role in enhancing the breeding pipeline through Design, test, & implement innovative breeding methodologies and Introgression diversity into Elite germplasm. Bringing new technologies to rice like – Haplotype Breeding, Gene-editing and HTP to rice. Hence In collaboration with Breeders, Product Positioning Scientists, and the Applied Genetics team, and other internal and external stake-holders. the Discovery Breeder will:

1. Develop, test, and implement innovative molecular breeding strategies
2. Focus on increasing genetic gain
3. Deliver enriched, competitive germplasm to Market Segment breeders
4. Bringing new technologies to rice like – Haplotype Breeding, Gene-editing and HTP to rice

This position requires a synergistic approach, combining expertise in current and future breeding methodologies, molecular techniques, and commercial awareness to drive advancements in germplasm development and product innovation. Should have excellent stake-holder management and techno -commercial mind set.

Qualifications

Accountabilities

• Continuous improvement in modernizing Market Segment Breeding Programs
  • Support the modernization efforts of existing breeding programs
  • Implement cutting-edge methodologies and technologies
• Optimize Genetic Diversity Strategy
  • Design strategies for identifying, evaluating, and introgression of novel sources of valuable genetic diversity
  • Ensure a robust and diverse genetic pool for future breeding efforts
• Anticipate Future Trait Needs
  • Envision future trait requirements for specific market segments
  • Develop breeding plans to introgress identified traits
  • Validation of markers for existing traits
• Deliver Competitive Germplasm
  • Provide enriched, competitive germplasm to Market Segment breeders through pre-breeding activities
  • Ensure the quality and relevance of delivered germplasm
  • Identification of germplasm suitable for Asia and China and plan proper germplasm leverage program
• Accelerate Pre-breeding Program Delivery
  • Utilize modern technologies to expedite the pre-breeding process
  • Implement efficient workflows and methodologies
• Gene-editing and alternate sterility system
  • Identify the gene-editing technological opportunity and development of the project
  • Implement the gene-editing project and explore opportunities for collaboration
• Documentation and Communication
  • Consistently document research data and results
  • Effectively communicate findings across teams
  • Facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration and capacity building

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

1. Education and Experience
   • Ph.D. in Quantitative Genetics with working experience in Genomic selection and gene-editing
   • Minimum 5 years of experience in a commercial plant breeding
   • Technical knowledge on high-throughput phenotyping
2. Technical Expertise
   • Strong experience in quantitative genetics, molecular breeding and gene-editing, including:
     • Genome-wide phenotype-to-genotype association
     • Genomic selection
     • Haplotype breeding and gene-editing
   • Successful implementation of quantitative genetics and genomic selection in breeding programs
3. Data Science Skills (Advantageous)
   • Coding proficiency in R and/or Python
   • Experience with data visualization tools/applications
   • Interpretation skills of basic experimental statistics
4. Project Management
   • Experience managing projects in a team-oriented environment
   • Ability to develop and adhere to budgets
5. Work Environment
   • Proven ability to operate independently in a complex matrix environment
6. Professional Network
   • Well-developed private and academic scientific network
7. Language Proficiency
   • Fluency in English (mandatory)

Critical success factors & key challenges (KPIs)

• Establishment of discovery projects for rice
• Streamlines the broadening the genetic base and allele enrichment projects
• Development of gene-editing projects
• Germplasm leverage and Elite germplasm development

Additional information

• Need to travel to different countries and work with different countries.
• Team is very agile, innovative, collaborative & continously empowering

Additional Information

People are at the heart of what we do:

• Once a year Full body check
• Competitive insurance scheme
• Employee assistance program – to take care of your and your loved ones mental health
• Paid Vacation of 30days, 12 Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, compassionate leaves
• Education assistance – for your career growth
• People first culture translated into ‘Most Preferred place to work 2022-23 by Times group’

Note: 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, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

To learn more visit: www.syngenta.com and www.good-growth-plan

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