Senior Plant Pathologist

The Senior Plant Pathologist will be responsible to establish pathology systems across crops including but not limited to corn, soybean, sunflower and tomato. Lead and support trait discovery and validation projects by conducting hands-on experiments, collaborating with key experts and functions both within and outside of Syngenta. The selected individual will provide scientific leadership in plant pathology in the context of lab, Greenhouse and field environments with a mindset that pathology is an integral part of multi-disciplinary approach to develop viable disease resistance traits for the growers to protect yield loss.

Responsibilities 

• Hold the highest standards on science quality and integrity
• Possess deep knowledge and extensive experience through training and working in conducting crop pathology experiments from collecting inoculum, culture inoculum at appropriate scales, inoculation and disease susceptible/tolerance/resistance ratings in lab, GH and field environments.
• Develop correlations of disease susceptible/tolerance/resistance ratings in different environments as required by project.
• Perform wet-lab experiments to test hypothesis using surrogate assays and crop/disease specific assays to gather evidence for lead prioritization
• Create and test hypothesis reiteratively and make recommendations as crop pathology experts
• Be the focal point of creating, internalizing and implementing plant pathology  techniques and knowledge that enable the organization to meet the needs of the growers
• Seek out, identify, communicate and encourage examples of best practice from internal and external sources of information

Knowledge, experience & capabilities

Critical knowledge

• Ph.D. or equivalent in plant molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, genomics or related field, and 4+ years professional experience working in improving plant resistance
• Excellent knowledge of molecular pathology and crop genetics, particularly maize and soy
• Strong scientific acumen, self-motivated and striving for continuous improvement
• Strong sense of ownership in a team environment

Critical experience

• 4+ years of hands-on experience applying general and modern pathology sills in dissecting genetic resistance/tolerance in crops.
• Demonstrated deliveries in various forms on time
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems through innovative pathology approaches
• Advanced expertise of principles and activities in genetic and biochemical experimental setup
• At least 5+ years of laboratory work experience including:
  • Proficiency in use of standard software and familiarity with databases
  • Demonstrated experience in working effectively as a member of a dynamic and multi-disciplinary team
  • Being flexible and able to work on different assignments as needed
  • Effectively implement and communicate results
  • Perform plant studies independently or as part of a team

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities

• Strong interest in plant biotechnology and agricultural research
• Strong desire in delivering solutions to meet the unmet needs faced by farmers both locally and globally
• Ability to solve complex and diverse problems based on available data to create working hypothesis, design and execute scientific experiments leading to conclusions, solutions or new hypothesis.
• Effective communications to convey the appropriate level of detail to the right audience verbally, in writing, or by presentation and the ability to judge when and who to communicate key information
• Willing and able to work at a high level with or without immediate supervision
• Willing and able to lead others and take responsibility as appropriate
• Wiling to manage projects and conduct relevant laboratory / greenhouse / field scientific activities
• A strong team player

What We Offer

• A platform with a combination of a booming agricultural industry in China domestic market and global resources and exposure, where you can fully develop your potential
• A culture that promotes Innovation and Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Competitive annual base salary (ABS) and short-term incentive (STI) plans
• Standard social benefits and housing fund package according to Chinese government policies, plus supplementary medical insurance 

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