Mechanistic Modeller

Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow healthy and nutritious food while taking care of the planet. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group.

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. Regardless of your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding an ever-increasing population while taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.

Syngenta's Predictive Science team is looking for a Mechanistic Modeller to join our Product Safety function. Within this role you will build and apply mathematical models that predict how our compounds behave in biological systems to meet society’s needs. You will coordinate and contribute to the building of mechanistic models to aid understanding and predict chemical effects in various systems (e.g. human, mammalian, environmental and/or non-target organisms) from which critical endpoints relevant for Product Safety in agrochemical research are derived. You will work at the frontier of computational science, translating complex toxicological and environmental challenges into actionable insights for cross-functional research teams. Key responsibilities will include:

• Liaising with project teams to understand data and modelling requirements and formulate problems in modelling terms.
• Coordinating and contributing to the design and development of mechanistic models, including pharmacokinetic and physiologically based kinetic (PBK) models, to evaluate chemical risk in mammalian and environmental systems.
• Managing and interpreting model outputs including specification, conduct, problem solving, reporting and interpretation for deployment to end users.
• Communicating model development, use, and limitations clearly to a wide and varied community of end users.
• Supporting the deployment of models for routine use.
• Seeking out latest developments in mathematical modelling and in consultation with senior technical experts assessing their potential use to support crop protection research.
• Building and maintaining scientific networks both internally and externally, delivering impactful presentations and collaborating across research teams to ensure the right modelling capability and long-term strategy.

What we are looking for

• Educated to PhD in a subject with a high mathematical content, ideally applied to a biological challenge.
• Demonstrated experience in mechanistic modelling particularly in the area of pharmacokinetics and/or physiologically based kinetic modelling.
• Proficiency with analytical and numerical methods to solve ordinary differential equations and the application of relevant software (e.g. Python and/or Matlab). 
• Experience with modelling software and programming languages.  
• Expert knowledge of mathematics, mechanistic modelling methodologies and data sources.
• Ability to translate complex problems into fit-for-purpose models to address them and communicate complex modelling concepts and results effectively to researchers from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to lead capability development activities and to deliver technical leadership.

Our site

Jealott's Hill International Research Centre UK is situated in pleasant semi-rural surroundings between Bracknell and Maidenhead and is the place of work for approximately 800 Syngenta scientists and support staff. Jealott’s Hill is one of the main global research and development sites and key activities include research into discovery of new active ingredients, new formulation technologies, product safety and technical support of our product range.

What we offer

• Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance.
• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.
• Campus environment.
• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.  
• The chance to work with and learn from highly qualified and experienced employees.
• A vibrant growth and learning culture and wide range of training options.

Syngenta has been ranked as a top 5 employer and number 1 in agriculture by Science Journal.

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. Learn more about our D&I initiatives here: https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion

Jealott’s Hill has Disability Confident certification.

We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to all candidates and our Jealott’s Hill site are a Disability Confident Level 2 Employer. Please let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application and we will do everything we can to support you.