Description

CP Postdoctoral fellow (3 years fixed term contract)

EU Horizon project RATION (Risk AssessmenT InnOvatioN for low-risk pesticides)

 About Syngenta

Syngenta is one of the world’s leading agriculture companies, comprised of Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality, and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions. Our technologies enable millions of farmers around the world to make better use of limited agricultural resources. Syngenta Crop Protection and Syngenta Seeds are part of Syngenta Group. In more than 100 countries we are working to transform how crops are grown. Through partnerships, collaboration, and The Good Growth Plan we are committed to accelerating innovation for farmers and nature, striving for regenerative agriculture, helping people stay safe and healthy and partnering for impact.

• The postdoctoral fellow will be part the EU Horizon project RATION (Risk AssessmenT InnOvatioN for low-risk pesticides), representing Syngenta in the project consortium and deliver specific RATION sub-projects, such as
• Lead the review and analysis of the current risk assessment approaches for low-risk pesticides such as microbial pesticides, plant extracts and pheromones
• Lead the development of an improved testing strategy for the environmental (effects and exposure) assessment of microbial pesticides
• Lead the development of recommendations for assessing the risk associated with the production of microbial metabolites and transfer of Antibiotic Microbial Resistance traits
• Contribute to all relevant tasks led by RATION project partners
• Conduct a Scientific literature review on existing risk assessment approaches and testing methodologies
• Development of novel and alternative risk assessment and testing strategies
• Co-ordinating with internal Syngenta stakeholders and across RATION project members
• Acquiring & maintaining scientific and technical expertise
• Delivering and presenting relevant research results (incl. scientific publications & conference presentations)
• Some international business travel is likely to be required

Requirements

• A PhD degree in a relevant area of science Track record relating to one or more of the following areas: environmental fate, ecology, ecotoxicological effects (studies), ideally in the area of biological pesticides; A working knowledge in other relevant areas such as human toxicology would be beneficial
• An excellent understanding of ecotoxicological risk assessment and testing methodologies of biological pesticides, in particular microbial pesticides, is required and a good knowledge of current risk assessment procedures in other disciplines (e.g., human toxicology) is preferred
• Ability to design, implement and analyse ecotoxicological risk assessment and testing schemes
• Basic knowledge of the EU regulatory framework applying to biological pesticides is preferred but not essential
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data
• Effective communication skills
• Commitment to achieve objectives individually and with a team and / or with various internal Syngenta and external stakeholders
• Experience in developing and applying exposure models, population models or risk assessment schemes
• Strong interpersonal and technical skills
• Ability to deliver quality work even under time pressure
• Ability to plan and deliver to agreed timelines and quality
• Motivated to publish in the peer-reviewed literature
• Creative problem solving/interpretation skills
• Ability to work independently but also to work within a wider project team
• Flexible location within the EU
• Fluent in English 

What Syngenta offers

• Support from an experienced internal Syngenta project team

Access to the wider Syngenta product support and regulatory teams to facilitate technical development and delivery

• Friendly and collaborative working environment optimized to successfully deliver challenging projects