R&D Intern

About the role

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. We invite you to help shape the future of agriculture and play a role in safely feeding the world while caring for our planet.

Syngenta's Sales team is seeking an R&D Intern in Woodland, CA. This hands-on role will contribute to greenhouse and field research, breeding trials, phenotyping, data management, seed handling, and seasonal operations. The intern will work directly with breeders and research staff while gaining practical exposure to vegetable breeding, seed production, and the operations of a seed company.

As part of Syngenta's Emerging Talent Program, you will gain hands-on experience, exposure to day-to-day business operations, and opportunities to apply your academic knowledge to real-world challenges while developing your professional skills.

Duration: June 2027 - September 2027, with the potential for an extension through October 2027 to support cucurbit breeding, harvest, and post-harvest activities.

Site: Will be working on-site at the Hollar Seeds facility.

Accountabilities

• Assist with planning and executing greenhouse and field breeding trials, including planting, transplanting, irrigation, crop maintenance, and harvesting.
• Conduct phenotypic evaluations of cucurbit plants and fruit according to established breeding protocols.
• Support controlled pollinations and crossing activities under breeder direction.
• Collect, record, verify, and organize research observations and plant-performance data accurately and on schedule.
• Enter, manage, and validate data using spreadsheets, databases, and breeding data-management systems.
• Harvest, label, catalogue, and maintain seed stocks, germplasm inventories, and other breeding materials.
• Support field-day preparation and other program activities as required.
• Collaborate with breeding, seed production, sales, packing, and office teams to support timely, aligned execution of breeding activities.
• Maintain accurate records and follow applicable research, safety, and quality standards.
• Build an understanding of market needs and breeding goals to support product-development awareness.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required

• Current undergraduate or graduate student in Plant Breeding, Plant Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Genetics, Biology, Agricultural Sciences, or a related field.
• Must be continuing education after the internship and not graduate before December 2027.
• Ability and willingness to relocate to Woodland, California, at personal expense for the duration of the internship.
• Ability to work in field and greenhouse environments and to perform physical agricultural tasks.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, written and verbal communication skills, and commitment to accurate record keeping.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively within a team.

Desired

• Strong interest in plant breeding, crop improvement, vegetable seeds, or agricultural research.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data-management practices.
• Prior experience in agriculture, horticulture, field trials, greenhouse crop production, phenotyping, or seed handling.

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.
• Competitive wages.
• Ongoing career development resources.
• The opportunity to work on meaningful, innovative projects that solve problems.

• Syngenta is committed to creating a culture that celebrates belonging and collaboration, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members
• Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal.
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