Senior Scientist Resistant Research

Help shape the future of crop protection.

At Syngenta’s Resistance Research team in Stein, we study how plant-pathogenic fungi evolve and develop resistance to fungicides. We are looking for a curious, accountable and hands-on Research Scientist to help deliver global monitoring programmes that turn field samples into scientific insight. This is a role for someone who enjoys practical laboratory science, cares about data quality, and wants their work to support sustainable disease control in agriculture.

Why this role matters

Fungicide resistance is a global challenge. In this role, your experiments, data and scientific judgement will help build the evidence needed to understand resistance evolution and support the development of durable crop-protection solutions.

What you’ll do

You will contribute across the full resistance-monitoring workflow-from planning global sample logistics and maintaining high-quality metadata, through to culturing pathogens, running bioassays and applying NGS molecular methods. Your work may include:

• Supporting monitoring programmes for business-impactful fungal and oomycete pathogens, including Zymoseptoria tritici, Botrytis cinerea, Plasmopara viticola, Phytophthora infestans, Alternaria spp and more.
• Coordinating the logistics of incoming and outgoing samples and biological material from across the world.
• Isolating, cultivating and maintaining plant-pathogenic organisms under sterile conditions.
• Performing bioassays and molecular analyses, including DNA extraction, primer design, PCR, qPCR, Sanger, NGS sequencing, and cloning.
• Analysing bioassay data-such as EC50 values-and connecting phenotypic results with molecular markers and field efficacies.
• Improving and standardising laboratory workflows across diverse sample types and pathogens.
• Managing sample metadata and monitoring results with precision and care.
• Collaborating closely with colleagues across the Resistance Research team to solve problems and move projects forward.
• Working safely and in line with Health, Safety and Environment standards.

What you bring

• An apprenticeship or Master’s degree in biology, agronomy, or a related discipline.
• Laboratory experience, ideally involving microbiology, plant pathology, molecular biology or bioassays.
• Supporting across disciplines with the development of molecular tools and analytic approaches
• Establishing and optimizing automated protocols for high-throughput analyses
• Managing laboratory equipment and consumables
• A practical, detail-oriented approach and a strong commitment to reproducible, high-quality science.
• Confidence working independently, while thriving in a collaborative and fast-moving team.
• Curiosity, flexibility and enthusiasm for learning new methods and technologies.
• Experience with sequencing-data analysis or tools such as R, Geneious, Spotfire-or similar platforms-is an advantage.
• Fluent English and/or German.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of financial and non-financial benefits including:

• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment
• The opportunity to make a difference to process safety, both within Syngenta’s global operations, and in shaping safety legislation and culture worldwide
• A superb working environment with an open culture and diverse workforce where new ideas are always welcome
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees and gain scientific and technical excellence
• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and wide range of training options
• You will profit from a competitive pension fund plan, flexible working, attractive bonus system, onsite doctor, fitness room, canteen, and other benefits (Family friendly initiatives, Child and Family allowance…)

Please send your complete application with CV, diploma and work certificates (if applicable).

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