Research Field Scientist

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. 

This position will be a member of the Global Soil Health Team at the LaSalle, CO USA research site and lead critical field research efforts with an emphasis on soil health and crop performance.

In this role you will support the Global Soil Health Team’s research efforts at the La Salle Research Farm. You will be primarily responsible for effectively troubleshooting and executing robust and scientifically rigorous research protocols. This will entail leading the data acquisition from multiple sources including intake, quality control, and data storage & management

Accountabilities:

• Partner with the Research Farm Manager to support day-to-day field operations (e.g., planting, fertilizer applications, or harvest) and research activities at the La Salle, CO research farm.
• Lead data acquisition from multiple data sources, including intake, quality control, and data storage & management.
• Possess a “self-starter” mindset and pro-actively work towards co-developing and expanding existing methods of measuring soil health and crop performance in field-scale trials.
• Professional experience in conducting and managing agricultural research or agricultural production.
• Demonstrated ability and expertise for developing relationships and engaging in activities with diverse clientele, communities and stakeholders.

Required skills:

• A B.S. degree with minimum of 3+ years of work experience (or equivalent combination of work experience and field-based graduate work) in agronomy, soil science, plant physiology, or related discipline.
• Experience gathering both soil data and plant physiology/crop performance data in field trials.
• Experience in experimental design and statistical analysis, including data processing.

Preferred skills:

• A graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in agronomy, soil science, plant physiology, or related discipline.
• Familiarity with setup, placement, and troubleshooting of proximal sensors (e.g., soil moisture sensors, canopy sensors).
• Experience operating farm equipment.  
• Intellectual and scientific curiosity with a dedication to professional growth.
• Ability to effectively communicate agronomic and scientific results to a range of audiences, from technical to lay audiences.

Salary for this role is $96,800 - $121,000 per year. 

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, 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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