Research Associate, Quality - Kunia, Hawaii!

Have you thought about how to feed the fast growing world population? We have. 

And we are looking for top talent to join our team!

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology.  The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market.  Sales in 2007 were approximately $9.2 billion.  Syngenta employs over 21,000 people in more than 90 countries.  Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). 

Research Associate, Quality – Kunia, HI

Role Purpose – 

The role and responsibility of the Quality Assurance Supervisor QAS is to ensure that Syngenta DH processes are executed in strict adherence to established technical protocols and guidelines to meet production and quality targets in the most efficient and timely manner while adhering to company and DH-specific HSE policies. Working under the direction of the Nursery Manager, the Research Associate makes sure that DH quality management programs and standards, and HSE policies are clearly interpreted, implemented, and met through the various functional levels, from the acceptance of induced projects to shipping of DH ears to breeder/owners.

Accountabilities – 

Ensure the integrity and purity of all breeding materials throughout the entire DH process, from the reception of DH topcross induction projects to shipping DH ears to breeder/owners. Accountabilities in this area include following quality management and control procedures through: o properly and accurately sorting out induction materials by populations, labeling and storing; o managing the entire haploid screening; o preparing haploid seeds for germination; o strict adherence to sowing-germination procedures including error-free labeling of all sown materials; o managing the pre-rootdip preparations of seedlings for doubling treatment; o managing potting; o managing transplanting (i.e. sequencing and accurate labeling of every population); o accurate labeling-identification of all harvested DH ears through shipping. • Ensure that the physical conditions and material quantity-quality requirements for doubling treatment are prepared in a timely and safe manner; • Perform doubling procedures with strict adherence to established technical and safety protocols and best laboratory management practices; • Laboratory and safety supplies management (inventory, purchasing) including accurate recording of chemical usage, waste disposal documentation; • Strict implementation-compliance to company-DH HSE policies and standards, including but not limited to: conduct of DH-related safety trainings, internal safety audit, proper use and disposal of PPEs, hazard communication to include warning labels, handling, storage, management of disposal of waste materials), process documentation; • Maintenance and upkeep of the doubling laboratory and DH work environment (i.e. equipment calibration, chemical handling fixtures and devices, chemical storage, water supply system, waste materials containments, environmental and growth monitoring equipment, housekeeping) • Assist in the conduct of experiments on alternative doubling models (e.g. hydroponics and the associated quality control in the preparation and monitoring-maintaining grow solutions); • Gathering, collating, and encoding of all experimental data; • Managing the dryer processing of DH harvest (i.e. monitoring and recording of moisture status of harvest testers in the dryer(s); • Regular soil (and plant tissues, if needed) sampling on DH Baby nursery; • Work jointly with Project Staff in scheduling work and allocating labor crew on a weekly basis; • Assist in all quality-assurance related crew training and skills development in all DH work to include pollination work; • Assist DH management on workers' performance evaluation; • Takes over the responsibilities of any Project Supervisor when the latter is away from work.

Knowledge, experience & capabilities –

Critical knowledge:

BS degree in quality assurance-related discipline. • Broad knowledge of soil-plant-environment relationship; corn production cultural/agronomic requirements and plant growth and development; • Basic biological and plant physiological concepts particularly cell function; • Knowledge and direct exposure to corporate HSE policy environment;

Critical experience:

Minimum three years intensive quality assurance work in a laboratory and/or field setting; previous or current experience in corn double haploid quality management work highly preferred; • Best Management Practices exposure in a process-laboratory setting and ability to translate these into procedures; • Operational skills on basic laboratory equipment (weighing scales/analytical balance, ph-CEC meters, environmental monitoring devices); • Above average problem-identification and -solving skills; • Track record of supervisory and human relations/people-skills; • Experience managing a large multi-ethnic field crew; • Proficiency in mathematical computations; • Computer-literate.

Critical technical, professional and personal capabilities:

Corn husbandry in both the laboratory and field setting; • Interpretation of MSDS, labels; safe handling of hazardous chemicals; • Openness to technological innovations; • Previous experience and exposure to fast-paced and stressful corporate environment; • Good interpersonal relations and organizational ability; • Team-builder and ability to resolve conflict and achieve a win-win solution; • Ability to integrate the various component parts and synergies; • Concept of hygiene, safety and sustainable environment;

Syngenta offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including market-based pay, health/dental insurance, a generous 401(k) program, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance.

Qualified candidates should apply today! Please submit your application online at www.syngentacareers.com. EOE