Digital Phenomics Intern

About Syngenta 

At Syngenta Seeds Field Crops, we're shaping the future of agriculture and empowering farmers to meet the ever-growing demand for food and fuel. We’re a global Ag Tech powerhouse, headquartered in the United States, with passionate, local experts collaborating with farmers to deliver solutions that create market opportunities.  We unite precision breeding, advanced biotechnology trait choice, and digital platforms for unmatched in-field performance.  Our seeds help mitigate risks such as disease, insect, weed, and extreme weather pressures, all while promoting sustainable farming practices that protect and enhance our planet. Join our mission of revolutionizing food security and transforming agriculture. 

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 Analytics & Data Sciences team is seeking a Digital Phenomics Intern in Des Moines, Iowa. This internship provides practical experience applicable to careers in agricultural technology, plant sciences, or graduate research programs. You'll gain exposure to industry-leading phenotyping infrastructure and contribute meaningful insights to active breeding programs.

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:  May 2027 – August 2027

Accountabilities 

• Support phenotyping platform operations including sensor deployment, image acquisition, and field data collection across greenhouse and field environments.
• Contribute to image processing workflows, trait extraction algorithms, and analytical pipeline optimization using advanced computational tools.
• Lead an independent research initiative focused on phenotyping methodology validation or trait measurement innovation, culminating in a presentation to research leadership.
• Partner with plant breeders, agronomists, and data scientists to integrate phenotypic insights into breeding decisions and product development.
• Maintain detailed experimental records, standard operating procedures, and technical documentation to ensure reproducibility.

Required  

• Currently enrolled as a graduate student in an accredited college/university.
• Pursuing degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Science, Agronomy, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Biology, Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Entomology, Weed science Crop Science, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with agricultural research, remote sensing, field trials, or crop production systems beneficial.
• Programming proficiency in Python and/or R for data analysis and visualization.
• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Salary for this position ranges between $20 - $45 hourly. 

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. 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.  

#LI-DNI