Automated Phenotyping Intern

As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all – while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs.

Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting.  From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold.

Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland. 

Estimated Duration: May 2026-August 2026

Syngenta Seeds R&D team is currently seeking an Automated Phenotyping Intern, located in Malta Illinois. As an intern, you will be a valued member of a high performing R&D Team and participate in an integrated learning opportunity preparing you for the next steps in your career. Join our team in Malta, IL to have a positive experience managing a project, developing new industry connections, and improving automated phenotyping processes.

Responsibilities:

Drone Operations: Conduct multiple time-series drone flights at designated field locations during the early growth stages of crop development.

Data Integration and Validation: Collect current year and utilize prior year field collected data sets to correlate automated imagery analysis with ground-collected measurements to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Workflow Optimization: Design & refine standard operating procedures (SOPs) for assessment of early growth vigor in corn and soybean stand establishment using 2025 & 2026 data, flight patterns, and satellite imagery analysis.

Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with Applied Data Science, Product Placement Scientists (PPS), and Trialing teams to understand existing data structures and analytical approaches.

Documentation: Provide recurring project updates, assist with data presentation, and create implementation-ready workflows & training materials.

Skills/Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of agronomics and seeds research.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot, identify root causes, and systematically resolve problems.
• Ability to drive multiple project records from initiation to closure.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to manage change, ambiguity and prioritize effectively.                         
• Good project management skills to perform packaging development and meet deadlines.
• Ability to collect and interpret imagery data results in an objective manner.
• Able to work effectively in cross functional teams, and across multiple functions.

• Currently pursuing a degree in plant breeding, agronomy, seeds production research or precision agronomy
• Plan to continue education upon completion of internship term
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable moving violations record
• Drone pilots license (preferred)

What We Offer:

A culture that celebrates diversity & inclusion, promotes professional development, and strives for a work-life balance that supports the team members. Offers flexible work options to support your work and personal needs. 

Syngenta has been ranked as a top employer by Science Journal. 
Learn more about our team and our mission here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCN_51GbNI 

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. 

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