Environmental Health Modeling Scientist

About the position

Syngenta’s Crop Protection Product Safety group is committed to applying world-class science and winning innovation to offer farmers safe, cost-effective solutions that address the demands of a rapidly changing world. We are looking for a computational modeler to join our Product Safety Team. This is an early to mid-career level professional position with extensive growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop PBK models to support regional chemical risk assessments, leveraging your deep understanding of ADME properties and their impact on chemical safety profiles.
• Design biological models to study antifungal resistance mechanisms.
• Develop and apply predictive models for assessment of water quality and plant residues of pesticide active ingredients utilizing monitoring data and your skills in Machine Learning (ML) and other computational modeling techniques.
• Support geospatial analysis using GIS technologies and multi-layer environmental data.
• Develop tools, databases, and other resources that support the team's work and enhance efficiency by applying your coding skills and digital expertise.
• Perform and understand regional human health and environmental risk assessment tasks, providing expert insights on modeling and risk assessment and contributing to the overall safety evaluation process.
• Prepare reports on various models for specific regulatory purposes and in regulatory-compliant format.
• Serve as a key member of multidisciplinary regional project teams evaluating the safety of Syngenta active ingredients and supporting new and existing Syngenta products for registration and re-registration.
• Represent Syngenta in discussions with regulatory authorities (i.e., EPA and PMRA) and industry groups, advocating for positions with strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Engage in strategic science and investigative projects, collaborating with internal and external partners, pushing the boundaries of current methodologies and approaches in modeling, toxicology, and risk assessment.
• Publish and contribute to scientific literature, enhancing Syngenta's reputation as a leader in the field.
• Provide insights on technical advances, scientific findings, and challenges in PBK and various types of modeling, and their implications for Syngenta's success.
• Lead regional PBK, biological, and environmental modeling projects and integrate results into broader risk assessment strategies.
• Design, validate and execute modeling plans that align with project milestones.
• Interpret and integrate modeling results with other toxicological and exposure data to create comprehensive safety assessments.
• Identify and solve key challenges in risk assessment using PBK and other computational modeling and proposing innovative solutions.
• Prepare written documentation suitable for internal and external communication including for regional regulatory submissions.
• Present findings verbally to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of new approach methods (NAMs) and advanced testing strategies.
• Engage with other platforms in Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs to enhance collaboration and identify areas for improvement.
• Actively participate in the toxicology, environmental and risk assessment community, network with key stakeholders and contribute to industry-wide initiatives.
• Mentor colleagues and provide technical leadership in various types of biological or environmental modeling.

Requirements

• A PhD in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical / Chemical Engineering or any related field, or a combination of education and experience in a field relevant to environmental health and PBK modeling.
• Knowledge of modeling coupled with demonstrated strategic thinking, technical leadership, and/or project management skills.
• Experience or strong understanding of the purpose of PBK and biological modeling in the context of risk assessment; ability to gain insights and foresights of strengths/vulnerabilities and translate them to risk management strategies.
• Ability to make good technical judgements in a timely manner, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and prioritize work effectively.
• Effective written/verbal communication, organizational, and analytical skills with attention to details.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to provide general modeling support across various aspects of product safety concerns.
• Experience with geospatial analysis (e.g., GIS) and PBK modeling in non-human species for ecological risk assessment.
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques and their application in toxicology and risk assessment.
• Ability to write scripts in multiple languages such as, but not limited to, Visual Basic, SQL, Shiny.
• Strong passion to develop and advocate new approach methods (NAMs) in safety assessment strategies.
• Interest or experience working as a human safety risk assessor, bio/statistical analyst, and/or data science expert.

Benefits

• 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.