Seeds Operations Intern

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs. Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions. Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.

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 Development team is currently seeking a Seeds Operations Intern at our Clinton, IL facility. The purpose of this role is to introduce the intern to R&D Seed Production Operations. Gain experience by taking responsibility of selected field production operations in support of producing a supply of high-quality seed and data. You will take on several roles based upon seed production practices and yield trial data.

Work With Us And You’ll Get

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.

• 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-August 2023

You Will

• Function as an integral member of a team responsible for producing, packaging, and organizing physical seed while also supporting planting, tissue sampling, pollinating, and note taking of seed production breeding nurseries
• Receive exposure to Operation and Trialing activities, allowing you to apply academic background and assist in the department activities from nursery trial design, preparation, maintenance, lab tasks, and data analysis
• Support efforts to maintain integrity of seed inventory, packaging, field layout, pollinating and data collection
• Perform hand pollinations and aid in supervising seasonal labor during pollination
• Perform phenotypic evaluations prior to, during and after pollination
• Effectively communicate regularly with peers and supervisors regarding the status of projects and work activities
• Perform all tasks and behave in a manner compliant with and in support of all safety and stewardship related company policies and practices, including completing all required company training courses

Qualifications

What you must have:

• A High School Diploma or equivalent
• Enrollment in a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Ag Business, or another closely related agricultural field of study
• Understanding and use of modern agronomic practices

Preferred Requirements

• Sophomore or Junior class standing preferred
• Capable of working in high or low temperature conditions in field
• Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds
• Capable of working long hours during time-critical periods of the growing season
• Ability to use MS Office, especially Word, Excel, Power Point and other standard office software
• Innovative – To always look to implement new procedures or technologies to improve work efficiencies
• 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

Additional Information

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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