Postdoctoral Fellow - Agroecosystems Modelling

As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all - while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs. Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting. From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.

Postdoctoral Fellow - Agroecosystems Modelling

Job description:

We are currently seeking a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in our R&D Technology and Digital Integration department to analyze agricultural systems from soil to society. You will develop and apply multi-scale cropping models and data analysis approaches to enable cropping systems management and agroecosystem optimization in support of new technology development and innovation. You will work in close partnership with experimentalists, crop modelling experts and data analysts from across Syngenta to develop new technological innovations that will enable more resilient and sustainable crop production systems.

Accountabilities

• Develop and apply systems modelling approaches, with particular focus on analysis and prediction of agroecosystem and ecosystem services responses to changes in agricultural management, land use and climate change.
• Develop new algorithms and apply existing models and approaches that enable system design and quantitative analysis at multi-scale levels. This is part of the development of a flexible, modular modelling platform that combines top-down (from region to globe/organ to field) and bottom-up (from gene to cell) approaches to crop modelling.
• Analyze model outputs with meta-analysis approaches (e.g., sensitivity analysis, error mapping, and parameter identification) and deliver results and outcomes based on model performances.
• Provide scientific leadership on developing and applying agroecosystems modeling to enable decision support for Syngenta R&D.
• Consult with diverse stakeholders on experimental design, model development and utilization.
• Promote the use and application of agroecosystems modeling and data analysis for biological problems through solid cross-functional connections.

Required profile:

• PhD degree in agricultural science, ecosystem modelling, computer science, applied mathematics or a related field.
• Experience developing and applying systems analysis tools and models, and a clear understanding of data processing.
• Demonstrated experience with model development and programming in a scientific environment.
• Excellent skills in storytelling and data visualization (All kinds of scientific graphs, Spotfire, Tableau).
• Ability to work independently and interact in multidisciplinary teams.
• Programming experience is required for this position (Python, R, and Matlab)
• Fluency in English is a mandatory requirement

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
• Flexible working arrangements and environment with an open culture and diverse workforce
• The opportunity to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees
• Learning culture (Together we Grow) and wide range of training options
• You will profit from a competitive pension fund plan, attractive bonus system, onsite doctor, gym, canteen, and other benefits (Family friendly initiatives, Child and Family allowance…)

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.