As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all –while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs. Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting. From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.

At Syngenta, we are working to build the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture that provides leading seeds and crop protection innovations to enhance the prosperity of farmers. To support this challenge, we are seeking an Associate Scientist in Durham, NC. 

Role purpose

• Routine manual and robotic operations for a variety of internal and external microbial sample types such as extracts, live cells, and dried samples for the biological discovery platform.
• Work with a variety of microorganisms in multiwell plates and shake flasks.
• Prepare media, set up, maintain and monitor the growth of different microbial cultures
• Process the cultures and harvest biomass for initial downstream processing
• Harvest samples for screening
• Assist in growth, scale-up, and downstream processing
• Perform separations/extractions and related analyses.
• Maintain culture collections and documentation
• Prepare samples and documentation for external shipments
• Assist in growing cultures and performing extractions for genomic analysis

Accountabilities

• All routine production of microbial samples and test materials for bioassay
• Conducts (theoretical and practical) research experiments for the optimization of samples for analysis
• Prioritizes schedule for strain selection, planning, production, and shipment of samples
• Self-driven, independent with standardized routine research, however, in close cooperation/coordination with team leader and other team members to meet established project and company goals
• Maintains laboratory notebook, records data, register experiments, produce documentation, curate lists and electronic databases and other maintains other records in accordance with scientific practice and company policy
• Frequently summarizes and analyzes data, peer reviews, discusses, and shares with other researchers

• Formal scientific education (min. BSc or MSc) in microbiology, microbial analysis, or experimental biology-related subjects
• 1+ years experience working with microorganisms/biologicals/natural products
• Training or coursework in laboratory safety and basic biological and chemical handling
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to analyze technical issues
• Good understanding of microbiology, microbiological culture techniques, and robotic handling/processing of samples
• Data entry and computer skills
• Ability to maintain standards and technical integrity, whilst under pressure to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to deliver outputs working across a complex range of group/departmental interfaces
• Ability to work efficiently and communicate within the organization
• Ability and readiness for occasional travel (national)
• Authorized to work in the United States
   

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

• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution

• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, and Corporate Discounts, among other benefits

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal.
Learn more about our team and our mission here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI

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.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC)

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Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

(http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm)

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All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.