Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, a global AgTech powerhouse ranked as a Top Employer by Science Journal, is seeking a skilled Agronomic Research Scientist in Slater, Iowa — to conduct comprehensive agronomic research studies on corn and soybean varieties, lead the full research lifecycle from study design through harvest, deliver value-added agronomic content that strengthens NK and Golden Harvest brand positioning as trusted agronomic advisors, and collaborate with sales and agronomy teams across Eastern Commercial Units to identify regional needs and deliver targeted solutions.
About Syngenta Seeds — Global AgTech Powerhouse
Mission: Shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet growing demand for food and fuel through precision breeding, advanced biotechnology, and digital platforms
Brands: NK Seeds and Golden Harvest — two of the most trusted agronomic seed brands in the American Midwest farm marketplace
Technology: Uniting precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance across corn and soybean crops
Recognition: Ranked as a Top Employer by Science Journal — a globally respected benchmark for scientific career excellence and employer quality
Iowa Location: Slater, Iowa — positioned in the heart of the US Corn Belt, directly within Syngenta’s Eastern Commercial Unit research territory
Why Join Syngenta as Agronomic Research Scientist in Iowa?
Brand Impact: Directly strengthen NK and Golden Harvest brand positioning as trusted agronomic advisors across the US Midwest — one of the world’s most important agricultural markets
Full Research Ownership: Lead the complete research lifecycle — from study design and plot planning through planting, harvest, statistical analysis, and research finding presentations to industry influencers
Full Benefits Day One: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage beginning your first day — plus 401(k) with company match, profit sharing, paid vacation, and Education Assistance
Science-First Culture: A collaborative, belonging-focused workplace that celebrates agronomic excellence, promotes professional development, and actively supports work-life balance in Iowa
Position Overview
Syngenta Seeds Field Crops is hiring an experienced Agronomic Research Scientist in Slater, Iowa to support the company’s marketing and sales objectives through comprehensive agronomic research on corn and soybean varieties. You will build collaborative relationships with sales and agronomy teams across Eastern Commercial Units, lead the full research lifecycle from design through harvest, oversee all field activities across multiple research sites, conduct statistical analysis of yield and agronomic data, prepare and present technical reports and findings to internal teams, dealers, customers, and industry influencers, and maintain research equipment precision throughout the season. A PhD or MS in Agronomy is strongly preferred, with 5+ years of agronomy research experience required.
Why This Role Matters: As Agronomic Research Scientist at Syngenta Slater Iowa, you conduct the variety trial research that directly shapes how NK and Golden Harvest brands are positioned and trusted by corn and soybean farmers across the Eastern US — making your science genuinely consequential for agricultural communities, lead field-scale agronomic research programs that help farmers mitigate disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures through better seed technology choices tailored to their regional growing conditions, apply your statistical analysis expertise and agronomy depth to produce research findings presented directly to dealers, customers, and industry influencers — turning data into real marketplace impact and brand credibility, join a Top Employer recognised by Science Journal where your agronomic expertise is valued, your professional development is actively supported, and your research directly contributes to Syngenta’s mission of revolutionising food security and transforming agriculture worldwide, and build your agricultural science career in Slater, Iowa — the heart of the US Corn Belt — with full benefits from day one, 401(k) match, paid vacation, and a culture that truly celebrates scientific talent.
Key Responsibilities
Collaborative Relationship Building & Regional Needs Assessment
- Build and maintain collaborative, trust-based relationships with sales and agronomy teams across Eastern Commercial Units — identifying specific regional agronomic needs and designing targeted research solutions that deliver measurable commercial value
- Support Syngenta’s sales and marketing objectives by delivering value-added agronomic research content that strengthens NK and Golden Harvest brand positioning as credible, trusted agronomic advisors in competitive Midwestern farm markets
- Engage proactively with dealers, key grower customers, and industry influencers — building professional relationships that amplify the impact of Syngenta’s agronomic research and seed technology messages in the Iowa marketplace and beyond
- Provide agronomy teams with actionable research insights, technical support, and clear communication of variety performance data — enabling sales teams to differentiate NK and Golden Harvest products with confidence and scientific credibility
Full Research Lifecycle Leadership
- Lead the complete agronomic research lifecycle for corn and soybean variety trials — from initial study design, research prioritisation, and technology agreement management through seed treatment selection, plot planning, and detailed field mapping
- Manage all pre-planting preparations across multiple research sites in the Eastern Commercial Unit territory — coordinating logistics, site selection, equipment readiness, and part-time research personnel scheduling for an efficient, well-organised trial season
- Oversee all field activities throughout the growing season — including precision planting, ongoing plot maintenance, treatment applications, data collection protocols, harvest operations, and supervision of part-time research staff across all active sites
- Maintain strong attention to research design quality and scientific integrity across all trial activities — ensuring study protocols are consistently followed and that data collected meets the statistical and commercial standards required for meaningful analysis
Statistical Analysis & Technical Reporting
- Conduct rigorous statistical analysis of yield and agronomic performance data — applying in-depth understanding of statistical principles to interpret variety trial results accurately and identify meaningful performance differences across locations and environments
- Prepare comprehensive technical reports and professional presentations that clearly communicate research findings, yield performance trends, and agronomic insights to internal agronomy and sales teams, dealer networks, and grower customers
- Confidently present research findings to diverse audiences — from internal Syngenta teams and marketing partners to external dealers, grower customers, and industry influencers at field days, agronomic events, and commercial meetings across Iowa
- Translate complex agronomic data and statistical outputs into clear, concise, and commercially relevant messages that strengthen NK and Golden Harvest brand positioning and directly support sales team success in competitive seed markets
Research Equipment Management & Innovation
- Maintain research equipment precision and operational efficiency through regular routine maintenance, detailed seasonal preparation, and proactive troubleshooting — ensuring all equipment is trial-ready for critical planting, application, and harvest windows
- Drive innovative equipment design and precision application solutions — improving treatment accuracy, data collection efficiency, and overall research quality across Syngenta’s Iowa and Eastern Commercial Unit field trial program
- Manage research facilities, equipment inventory, and field trial logistics with strong organisational skills — ensuring resources are optimally deployed across multiple concurrent research sites and trial activities throughout the growing season
- Coach and mentor part-time research personnel effectively — providing clear, direct, and skillful feedback that builds research team capability and ensures trial execution standards are consistently maintained across all field sites
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- PhD and/or MS in Agronomy or a closely related agricultural science field is strongly preferred — candidates with this postgraduate qualification will be given priority consideration for this Iowa research scientist role
- Candidates holding a BS in Agronomy with five or more years of hands-on agronomy research trial experience and statistical data analysis will also be considered for this position at Syngenta Slater, Iowa
Experience Requirements
- 5 or more years of professional experience in a commercial or R&D agronomy role — with a strong technical background in field crop research trials and a solid understanding of the sales and commercial aspects of the seed business
- Demonstrated in-depth understanding of statistical principles and data analysis — with proven experience applying statistical tools to interpret field trial data and communicate results meaningfully to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Hands-on knowledge of farming best practices, seed technologies, and crop protection — essential for designing credible variety trials and providing technically grounded agronomic guidance to sales teams, dealers, and customers
Essential Skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills — with the ability to deliver key agronomic messages clearly and concisely to diverse audiences including scientists, sales professionals, dealers, growers, and industry influencers
- Good personnel and facility management skills — able to skillfully plan, organise, and monitor performance across multiple research sites and personnel to consistently meet seasonal research deadlines and quality standards
- Ability to coach people to excel by giving clear, direct, and skillful feedback — building part-time research personnel capability and contributing to the broader development of Syngenta’s Eastern Commercial Unit agronomy team
- Ability to help teams understand how research objectives are aligned with company strategy and how their contributions add measurable value — connecting field science directly to NK and Golden Harvest commercial outcomes
Benefits & Total Rewards
- Full Benefits from Day One: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage beginning on your very first day of employment — no waiting period for eligible full-time team members
- 401(k) with Company Match: Retirement savings plan with Syngenta company match, plus Profit Sharing and Retirement Savings Contribution — building your long-term financial security from day one
- Paid Vacation & Holidays: Generous paid vacation leave and paid holidays to support genuine work-life balance throughout the agricultural research season in Iowa
- Maternity & Paternity Leave: Paid parental leave for both maternity and paternity — supporting your family commitments during one of life’s most important milestones
- Education Assistance: Financial support for continuing education and professional development — enabling you to advance your agronomic science career alongside your Syngenta research role
- Wellness Programs & Corporate Discounts: Comprehensive employee wellness programs and corporate discount benefits — supporting your overall health, wellbeing, and lifestyle as a Syngenta team member
- Flexible Work Options: Work arrangement flexibility to support both your professional research responsibilities and your personal needs throughout the year
- Top Employer Culture: A Science Journal-recognised Top Employer environment that celebrates belonging, promotes professional development, and actively nurtures the careers of agricultural science talent
About Syngenta Seeds Field Crops
Syngenta Seeds Field Crops is a global AgTech powerhouse headquartered in the United States — dedicated to shaping the future of agriculture by empowering farmers with the world’s most advanced seed technologies. Through its NK Seeds and Golden Harvest brands, Syngenta delivers precision-bred corn and soybean varieties, advanced biotechnology traits, and digital agronomic platforms that help farmers protect their crops from disease, insects, weeds, and extreme weather while promoting sustainable farming practices. Ranked as a Top Employer by Science Journal and an Equal Opportunity Employer, Syngenta builds teams that reflect the diversity of the agricultural communities they serve.
Career Excellence: Join Syngenta Seeds in Slater, Iowa as Agronomic Research Scientist — where your agronomy expertise, statistical skills, and passion for field crop science directly transform farming outcomes for corn and soybean growers across the Eastern United States and beyond.
Who Should Apply?
- PhD / MS Agronomists: With 5+ years of corn and soybean variety trial experience, strong statistical analysis skills, and a passion for applied field research in the US Midwest — seeking a Top Employer science career in Iowa
- Commercial Agronomy Scientists: With experience in sales-aligned research, brand-building agronomic content, and dealer or grower presentation experience in the NK, Golden Harvest, or competitor seed brands
- Field Crop Research Scientists: With full research lifecycle management experience — from plot design and pre-planting through statistical analysis and technical reporting — across corn and soybean production systems in Iowa or the Midwest
- Statistical Data Analysis Specialists: With in-depth agronomy trial data analysis experience and strong research communication skills seeking a commercial research scientist role at a globally ranked seed technology company
- Agronomy BS Graduates with 5+ Years: Holding a Bachelor’s in Agronomy with five or more years of hands-on field trial experience and documented statistical analysis proficiency ready to apply for this Syngenta Iowa research role
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