23rd to 25th June 2024

Application deadline: 28th April 2024

Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Bracknell, UK

Applications are now open for the 2024 Syngenta Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. This scheme provides a select group of postgraduate organic chemists with the opportunity to experience the work of a research chemist within our weed control chemistry team through a series of individual and team challenges.

Over the course of two days, participants will:

  • Work as a team to develop the design and synthesis of a novel herbicide, taking it from lead generation to production, and present this to a panel of Syngenta experts
  • Showcase your research and understanding of organic chemistry to Syngenta scientists and other participants in a flash poster presentation and in one-to-one sessions
  • Network with Syngenta scientists from across multiple disciplines and hear about the careers available within the department

Travel, accommodation and meal expenses are covered for all participants

Based on both team and individual events, we award a Syngenta scholarship bursary of £1000 and funding to attend a conference of their choice to the top performer.

Scroll down for more information or submit your application here.

Apply Now!

About Syngenta

Syngenta Crop Protection is part of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading agriculture companies. Our ambition is to help safely feed the world while taking care of the planet. We aim to improve the sustainability, quality and safety of agriculture with world class science and innovative crop solutions.

The Syngenta Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme takes place at Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre in Berkshire, UK. This site is home to unique levels of expertise within the Syngenta Crop Protection R&D network – a network that comprises 119 sites around the world. Established in 1927, Jealott’s Hill is a key site in Syngenta’s global research and development network. With a long tradition of innovation and employing over 800 people.

Crop Protection R&D at Jealott's Hill

Jealott’s Hill is our largest R&D site globally and the only site with end-to-end R&D capabilities. As such, Jealott’s Hill collaborates with other Syngenta sites and external research bodies around the world, delivering across all major research areas, from Crop Protection Discovery, Biologicals Research, Weed Control Research, Seeds Research, Bioperformance Enhancement and Product Safety Research.

Its multidisciplinary scientific expertise includes Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Engineering, Data Sciences and Modelling and Human and Environmental Sciences, making it a critical collaboration partner in multiple international R&D projects every year.

the outside of some glasshouses behind a grassy bank

Collaboration at its core

All science is collaborative, from evaluating new technologies to conducting fundamental research. In the UK, we have a large number of external collaborations with universities and scientific organisations, and have significantly more R&D collaborations based in the UK than in any other country worldwide. This includes active collaborations with leading UK research universities, such as Cambridge, Warwick, Oxford, Imperial College, Exeter and the John Innes Centre.

“Jealott’s Hill benefits greatly from being based in the UK. With an excellent science base, access to several world leading academic institutes on our doorstep, a strong talent pool and government support for scientific agricultural and food production research, this environment means our scientists can fulfil their global remit and support our global R&D strategy.” Jutta Boehmer, Head of Bioscience, Crop Protection Research

Jealott's Hill Chemistry Values

chemistry core values

Within Crop Protection Research Chemistry at Jealott’s Hill, we focus on the design and synthesis of new crop protection chemicals.

We have developed 5 core values that help to guide our actions and decisions within that focus, aimed at fostering a safe, supportive and energized culture

Application Information:

Apply Here!

Please upload all application material as PDF files using the following button before the application deadline on the 28th April. Apply Today!

By providing your information and submitting your application, you are confirming that you have read and understood the Syngenta Privacy Policy

Please note that if you receive funding from an industrial sponsor, you should obtain permission from your sponsor before applying.

Eligibility requirements:

Open to all final and penultimate year PhD students at UK universities with organic chemistry as a core element of their research. Your application will need to include:

  • A CV detailing your experience to date (2 page limit) .
  • A research summary describing a key highlight of your PhD to date (1 page limit), and your input towards this. This does not have to include a comprehensive explanation of your full research career, but as this will be read by chemists who are not necessarily experts in your field, you should provide relevant context where necessary. We encourage the use of schemes and pictures to illustrate key reactions or concepts.

 

  • A personal statement (500 words max). The information you provide here will help us understand a little more about you, as well as your motivation for applying for this scholarship scheme. 

We suggest you use this to consider some of  the following topics:

  1. How will attending this scheme benefit your future professional development?
  2. What motivates your pursuit of a career in organic chemistry?
  3. Which of our five Chemistry Values do you most identify with and why?

Any other relevant information about you and your application can also be included. 

For help composing a scientific CV  and other application materials, the RSC provides some useful information (members only, https://members.rsc.org/site/content/Careers_Webpages/CVsandApplications.aspx ).

The ACS also provides a guide (open access, https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/careers/jobsearch/resume-cover-letter/resume-preparation-tips-for-chemical-professionals.pdf)

If you have any questions about the scheme or the application process, please email scholarship.scheme@syngenta.com   

 

The Syngenta Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme reflects our belief in encouraging and rewarding scientific excellence, regardless of background or prior experience in agroscience. We embrace and encourage diversity, and this is what drives our innovation and lets us outperform the market. For more information about our commitment to diversity and inclusion visit  https://www.syngenta.com/careers/working-syngenta/diversity-and-inclusion

Why apply for the 2024 Syngenta Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme?

“The Syngenta Scholarship Scheme provides PhD students with an invaluable insight into the agrochemical industry. I won a scholarship in 2005 and really enjoyed using my knowledge to address the types of synthetic problem that Syngenta engages in” says 2005 Winner John Bower, Professor in Organic Chemistry at the University of Liverpool. “The programme provides a fun and competitive environment where participants can make new contacts and benchmark themselves against their peers. My interactions with Syngenta have continued, and several of my own PhD students have participated in the scheme.”
“Attending the Syngenta Scholarship was a fantastic experience, offering the chance to tackle in teams with other PhD chemists some real life scientific challenges facing the industry and learn a lot from the many different Syngenta scientists involved” says Jon Dallimore, Global CPD Project Management Lead. “Following the scholarship scheme I accepted a Team leader role in Herbicide Research with Syngenta where I was responsible for a team of chemists and projects targeting the design of new herbicides. I later moved into a more senior leadership role within Herbicide Research before transitioning to the development organisation at the Syngenta headquarters in Switzerland as a Global Project Leader.”
2016 Winner Rosie Croft, Principal Scientist in Weed Control Chemistry, Syngenta. “Although a daunting prospect, I ended up thoroughly enjoying working with my team to complete the tasks and built a lot of confidence both personally and professionally through the experience.”
Camilla Corsi, Head of Crop Protection Research says “For Syngenta, the scheme allows us to … create long-lasting relationships with some of the best young chemists. Indeed, many participants have subsequently been employed by and continue to work for Syngenta or have maintained contact as they pursue independent academic careers.”