Seasonal Insect Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Company Description

About Syngenta 

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, we're shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel. We’re a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities.  We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance.  Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture. 

Job Description

Please note: this is a hybrid position. Candidates must be located within a one‑hour commuting radius of Evansville, IL.

At Syngenta, our goal is to build the most collaborative and trustworthy team in agriculture, providing top‑quality seeds and innovative crop protection solutions that improve farmers' success. To support this mission, Syngenta's Operations & Trialing Team is seeking a Trialing Specialist Technician to support our Evansville, IL site.

This role will support the Trialing Manager in executing research‑level yield trials on time, with high precision and accuracy, in a safe and compliant manner, in order to generate the highest‑quality data to enable identification of superior‑performing products in corn, soybean, and wheat during the growing season.

This position will have a designated break period between growing seasons (approximately three months). This role is a Peak Time Employee position, which is a permanent full‑time employment arrangement that allows the business to meet seasonal demands while enabling the employee to take an extended single leave during the non‑busy months of the calendar year (one annual unpaid break required each year).

This is an annual position beginning February 1, with the assignment ending October 31.

Accountabilities:

• Function as an integral member of a team responsible for planting, plot maintenance, spraying, note taking (phenotyping), and harvesting research‑level yield trial plots.
• Operate and maintain agricultural machinery and/or agricultural research equipment, such as precision planters, drones, automated phenotyping equipment, and research combines.
• Perform all tasks and work in a manner compliant with and supportive of all safety‑ and stewardship‑related company policies and practices, as well as completion of all required company training courses.
• Support tasks to achieve the Trialing Manager’s desired results (e.g., assisting the team with field layout, planting, phenotyping, and harvest).
• Effectively and regularly communicate with peers and supervisors regarding project status, work‑related activities, and the quality and timeliness of data collected.
• Plant, spray, maintain, and harvest research‑level corn, soybean, and wheat trials to meet data quality standards and operational deadlines.

Qualifications

Required:

• Associate's degree in agriculture related discipline and/or relevant experience.
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable driver's history is required.
• Ability to work in high or low temperature conditions in field or greenhouse. Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds. Capable of working long hours during time-critical periods of the growing season.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship support from Syngenta.

Desired:

• Experience in operating and maintaining agricultural machinery, and/or agricultural research equipment.
• Ability to work with a moderate level of supervision while traveling to off-site locations to prepare, plant and accurately collect and manage data obtained from trials.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a federal medical card to operate commercial motor vehicles is required.
• Pesticide Applicators License Holder or ability to acquire.
• A basic understanding of agriculture and agronomy practices is desirable.
• A basic understanding of the practices and procedures that affect trial data precision and accuracy.
• Experience in the operation, adjustment, maintenance of and ability to do minor repairs on various plot equipment, such as a planter, tractor, cultivator, sprayer, and combine.

Additional Information

Salary for the role is between $24 - $28 per hour.

What We Offer:

• A culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs.
• Full Benefit Package (Medical, Dental & Vision) that starts your first day.
• 401k plan with company match, Profit Sharing & Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid Vacation, Paid Holidays, Maternity and Paternity Leave, Education Assistance, Wellness Programs, Corporate Discounts, among other benefits.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI

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.

WL: 2A

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