Job Description

ABOUT THIS JOB:  

We invite you to help us shape the future of agriculture. At Syngenta, we believe every employee has a role to play in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. To support that challenge, the Seeds Production Research team is currently seeking a Seeds Production Research Intern in Glenn & Woodland, CA. As an intern you will be responsible for designing experiments, field and lab preparation, routine maintenance, and data analysis. You will be provided the opportunity of being exposed to research activities, allowing you to apply academic background and ultimately be exposed to both Production & Supply and Research & Development at Syngenta. 

As an intern at Syngenta, you have the opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry, and work on real projects finding real solutions. Work with us and you’ll get:  

• Competitive wages  
• Ongoing career development resources   
• The opportunity to work on meaningful, innovative projects that solve problems 
• A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development, and offers flexible work options to meet both your work and personal needs

ESTIMATED DURATION: May 2023-September 2023  

YOU WILL: 

• Be exposed the Seed Parent Characterization activities, allowing you to apply academic background and assist in the department activities from trial design, preparation, maintenance, harvesting, lab tasks, and data analysis 
• Develop a good understanding about new sunflower hybrid development, and parent characterization activities, by taking a lead role for one of the Seed Parent Characterization’s projects 
• Strengthen new product advancements through the assessment of important traits for seeds production at early breeding stages 
• Take the lead on the project management and execution according to the assigned project. Assure that field activities (planting, plot maintenance, applying spray treatments, bird netting, harvest, and sample processing) for research plots are executed. This includes routine site/farm maintenance activities such as planting plots, applying treatments, collecting observations and in-season data, and maintaining the plots throughout the growing season. Fall activities include harvest stand counts and actual plot harvest and sample processing 
• Support other Seed Parent Characterization, as well as agronomic trial and seed production activities at the home site 
• Develop and maintain two-way communication with project managers, Seed Production Research (SPR) Scientists, Agronomists and Hybrid Seed production colleagues at the home site. Additionally, look for communicating with people from different areas, from breeding all the way to commercial seeds production, aiming to gain a good understanding of the whole chain 
• Assist with managing and developing part time workers 
• Analyze data and prepare a research report and presentation for the assigned project 
• Lead daily routine equipment maintenance and preparation to ensure maximum precision in all treatment applications 
• Make sure all activities are performed according to the Company safety procedures and recommendations, and promote environmentally sustainable solutions

Qualifications

WHAT YOU MUST HAVE: 

• A High School diploma or equivalent 
• Enrollment in a a Bachelor’s degree program in Agronomy, Biology, Ag Business, Entomology, Crop Protection, or another closely related field of study  
• A valid Driver's License

WHAT YOU MIGHT ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TEAM: 

• Communication-The ability to communicate information well (both written and spoken) is highly desired 
• Detail Oriented-All procedures and policies must be understood and followed 
• Autonomous-An independent individual who is self-motivating and needs little supervision 
• Previous internship and/or co-op experience related to Agriculture is preferred but not required 
• Familiarity with working on a farm, working with crops, irrigated crops, sunflowers or working outdoors is preferred but not required. 
• The intern will be working in sunflower research plots and willingness to work in areas where beehives are present for pollination purpose. 
• Confidence- Not afraid to ask bold questions and be curious 
• Eagerness to learn and grow in the role 
• Basic proficiency in Spanish preferred

Additional Information

#LI-EF1

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, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

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