At Syngenta, we are working to build the most collaborative and trusted team in agriculture that provides leading seeds and crop protection innovations to enhance the prosperity of farmers. As a Hybrid Wheat Breeding Intern, you will be a valued member of a high-performing R&D team, contributing to critical research that addresses key bottlenecks in hybrid wheat development while building skills and experiences to launch your career in agricultural innovation.Duration: May 2026 - August 2026
Location: Junction City, KansasAbout the RoleDevelop, test, and implement robust phenotyping protocols that accelerate hybrid wheat breeding decisions by linking controlled environment data to field performance and optimize genomic selection capabilities.Key Deliverables:Validated screening protocol ready for pipeline integration.High-quality phenotypic dataset across diverse germplasm.Trained and validated genomic selection models.Key Accountabilities:Protocol Development:Develop greenhouse experiments to systematically characterize trait performance across diverse wheat germplasm.Evaluate the impact of environmental conditions on trait expression.Develop feasible, technically sound screening protocols that can be integrated into the breeding pipeline.Assess risks, benefits, and tradeoffs of protocol modifications to the product pipeline.Greenhouse Data Collection & Analysis:Coordinate with the North America breeding team to support accurate data collection.Perform descriptive and statistical analyses.Collaborate with Applied Analytics and Data Science teams to support genomic selection model development.Communication & Collaboration:Provide regular feedback and updates to breeding team members and project mentors.Demonstrate initiative in understanding the strategic implications of research findings.Translate complex data into actionable insights for breeding decisions.Present research findings to R&D leadership at project conclusion.Program Details:Logistics:40 hours/week, Monday-Friday (weekend work during peak field season).Company vehicle for field travel.Resources & Training:State-of-the-art controlled environment facilities.Training on greenhouse operations, phenotyping, and statistical tools (R, ASReml, etc.).Access to genomic databases and breeding decision support systems.Professional Development:Structured mentorship with breeding scientists and data science experts.Present findings to R&D leadership and cross-functional teams.Exposure to product development pipeline from concept to commercialization.Networking with Syngenta's national intern cohort.What's in It for You?Own a research project from design through presentation to leadership.Shape breeding decisions - your protocols will directly influence product advancement.Bridge lab and field - see how controlled environment work translates to commercial outcomes.Build your network in one of agriculture's most active wheat breeding programs.What Gives You an Advantage:Develop Statistical analysis skills (R, Python, SAS) with agricultural data.Experience with controlled environment research and phenotyping platforms.Understanding of hybrid breeding systems and quantitative genetics.Track record of independent research or thesis work.
