Postdoc in Process Chemistry and Digital Synthesis

Syngenta Group is a leading science-based agtech company, dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. Each of our 50,000 employees in more than 100 countries work together to solve humanity’s most pressing challenges: feeding the world safety while taking care of our planet. We are proud to stand at the forefront of the tech revolution in agriculture. Using the latest digital innovations, data, and cutting-edge technologies we want to reshape the industry through data-fueled intelligent science. This is only possible through digital science by smartly connecting, integrating and exploiting data from Research and Development to Commercial, to better tailor our products and grower advice.

Our business success reflects the quality and skill of our people. We recognize that human diversity is as important to our business as biodiversity. Embracing the unique perspectives and capabilities of our employees helps us continue to catalyze innovation, maximize performance, and create business value. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture

We are currently looking for a 12-months (with the possibility to extend the contract to 24-months) Postdoctoral Fellowship contract in our Process Technology department in Münchwilen. The role sits at the interface of chemistry and digital innovation, focused on designing and evaluating human-in-the-loop methodologies that combine generative chemistry AI with expert synthetic knowledge to accelerate synthesis route scouting. You will collaborate across teams, benchmarking digital synthesis tools and identifying the most promising directions for adoption across Syngenta's synthesis programs. You will be given the opportunity to develop new skills while working at the cutting edge of chemistry, data science and AI.

Your responsibilities: 

• Design and execute structured evaluations of generative chemistry AI tools combined with expert chemical judgment 

• Develop and document reusable benchmarks based on internal route catalogs and external literature datasets 

• Investigate multiple methodological approaches for AI-assisted synthesis route improvement 

• Integrate digital synthesis tools into live route scouting activities 

• Conduct literature reviews to identify and prioritize promising directions in generative chemistry 

• Capture and communicate findings through internal reports, presentations and potential scientific publications 

• A PhD in digital chemistry, organic chemistry, cheminformatics, or a closely related field 

• Sound knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry and retrosynthetic analysis 

• Working knowledge of cheminformatics concepts: molecular representation (SMILES, InChI), reaction databases, retrosynthesis logic 

• Familiarity with generative chemistry or AI-assisted synthesis planning tools (e.g., AiZynthFinder, ASKCOS, IBM RXN, or similar) is a plus 

• Python proficiency covering cheminformatics (RDKit), data analysis (pandas), version control (Git) and unit testing 

• Ability to critically evaluate and benchmark AI-generated synthesis routes against expert knowledge 

• Comfortable working across chemical development and digital/data science teams 

• Fluent English with strong written and verbal communication skills 

WHAT WE OFFER

• Scientific and technical excellence at the intersection of chemistry and AI 

• Contribution to valuable and impactful work, in a stimulating environment  

• Work in interdisciplinary teams spanning Process Technology, Medicinal Chemistry, CAST and Digital/AI. An open and collaborative work atmosphere 

• Continuous professional development and high scientific standards as foundations of our culture 

• Access to internal route catalogs, digital synthesis platforms and experienced colleagues across chemistry and data science 

• A responsible position with adequate training and meaningful scientific challenges 

Interested? We are looking for your application! Along with your Cover Letter and CV please provide a Research Summary of 2–5 pages. 

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.