Breeding Data Scientist

Syngenta Group • Durham, NC

2h • Hybrid

About The Position

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 Analytics & Data Sciences Team is seeking a Breeding Data Scientist in Durham, NC. This role will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of biostatisticians and phenomics and enviromics scientists within the Germplasm Development Team to enhance breeding strategies through improved experimental design, analysis, and decision-making capabilities.
The ideal candidate will help deliver innovations that accelerate genetic gain through data-informed decisions by demonstrating initiative, accountability, collaboration, technical leadership, and strong stakeholder management.

Requirements

• PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring current or future sponsorship (which also includes OPT/CPT and H-1B visas).
• Ph.D. in data science, plant breeding, quantitative genetics, or equivalent plus 2+ years of applied experience and deep technical understanding of commercial plant breeding and germplasm development processes.
• 3-5+ years of applied data science experience in plant breeding, agriculture, life sciences, or related domains with demonstrated impact on product development or operational optimization.
• Exceptional analytical capabilities with demonstrated success in independently delivering data-driven solutions through effective problem framing, data exploration, model development and validation, and generation of actionable insights.
• Experience working with large-scale phenomic, environmental, and genomic datasets.
• Working knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning, or simulation approaches applied to biological systems.
• Demonstrated expertise using R or Python and SQL to build, manipulate, and analyze extensive datasets and/or develop data models within cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP, Snowflake).
• Strong collaborative and communication capabilities, with evidence of successful cross-functional teamwork.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deliver results in a dynamic environment.
• Experience with version control, CI/CD pipelines, and MLOps practices including GitLab/GitHub, model deployment, monitoring, and governance in production environments.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate extensively with biostatisticians, phenomics scientists, and enviromics scientists to support advanced data analysis initiatives.
• Drive validation processes for digital phenomics traits across stage-gate milestones.
• Spearhead integration of genomic, phenomic, and environmental datasets into breeding workflows to enhance selection precision and strategic decision-making.
• Support continuous improvement through applied statistical concepts in data collection, experimental design, and analysis workflows across breeding teams.
• Work directly with plant breeders to evaluate new breeding strategies via stochastic simulations.
• Support the creation and implementation of predictive models and decision-support platforms customized for breeding program requirements.
• Oversee adoption of innovative technologies and methodologies for breeding decisions in direct partnership with breeding teams.
• Collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, and other domain experts to ensure breeding solutions are scientifically robust, accessible, and value-generating.
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Promotes a safe work environment to maintain our strong safety culture.

Benefits

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree