Apprenticeship Laboratory Technician EFZ, Specialisation Biology, Focus Agrobiology (August 2027)

About the job

Company Description

Are you looking for an apprenticeship where you can truly make a difference?

Become part of a team that faces one of the world’s greatest challenges: feeding the world while protecting our planet.

Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland and has teams worldwide. We use science and technology to develop crop protection solutions that help farmers grow stronger and healthier plants even under challenging conditions.

Whether you are interested in business, technology, science, or operations – you have the opportunity to learn from our teams, develop your talents from day one, and contribute to groundbreaking advances in agriculture across all areas. This is more than just the start of an apprenticeship – it is the beginning of your future.

Your well-being is important to us too. Syngenta is certified as a "Friendly Work Space" and recognised by the "Health Promotion Switzerland" foundation for creating a healthy and positive working environment where people can thrive.

More information can be found here:  https://friendlyworkspace.ch/de/das-label/das-sind-die-label-friendly-work-space-betriebe  

Job Description

As a Laboratory Technician EFZ specialising in Biology with a focus on Agrobiology, you will work in the laboratory and greenhouse alongside scientists to develop new crop protection products. The training offers you deep insight into the natural sciences and lays the foundation for the agricultural solutions of tomorrow. At the interface of biology, chemistry, and agricultural science, you will encounter a highly versatile range of tasks.

You will work daily with a great biological diversity and explore the interactions between crops and their natural antagonists such as weeds, pest insects, mites, as well as fungi and bacteria.

Under the guidance of experienced professionals, you will learn step by step to independently cultivate these organisms and to plan, conduct, and evaluate scientific experiments. You will test new active substances and molecules for their properties and interactions, operate state-of-the-art measuring devices, and carefully analyse the data obtained.

By using modern technologies and precise working methods, you will already make a valuable contribution to sustainable agriculture during your training.

Qualifications

• Higher secondary school level or district school, intermediate maturity (D) or other higher school levels
• German as a native language or at C1 level as well as very good English skills
• Strong interest in natural sciences and biological contexts
• Very good powers of observation as well as logical and critical thinking skills
• Enjoyment of mathematics
• Perseverance and concentration
• Precise, reliable, and independent working style
• Team spirit for collaboration in diverse teams
• No known predispositions for allergies (due to daily contact with plants and biological organisms)

Additional Information

The vocational school is in Winterthur (ZH) and the inter-company courses take place at the ETH location in Schlieren (ZH).

Important subjects at vocational school:

• Fundamentals of scientific work
• Biology (molecular, cell and microbiology, botany, zoology)
• Chemistry
• Laboratory work, safety
• Mathematics
• English

Areas of deployment within the company:

• Phytopathology and entomology
• Microbiology
• Molecular biology
• Field stays

Benefits for Syngenta apprentices:

• Coverage of costs for school materials
• Provision of personal equipment (laptop & accessories)
• Cost contribution towards a private laptop (BYOD)
• A Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) general subscription (GA)
• Financial contribution to your fitness subscription
• Discounted REKA checks
• Staff restaurant, medical service 

Instructions for online application: 

Are you interested? Then apply online with your complete application:

1. Enter your personal data in the first step.
2. If you have no professional experience yet, simply write "none" in the mandatory field and select any date.
3. Then upload your CV.
4. Click on "Next" afterwards.
5. Under "Additional Attachments" upload your cover letter, copies of the last three school reports as well as – if available – Multicheck, internship reports, work certificates, and diplomas.

We look forward to receiving your application!