Syngenta is the largest agribusiness in the world and among a range of products we invent are new crop protection active ingredients. One challenge during the research and development process is to identify toxicity as early as possible. We have limited funding for some exploratory work on the utility of C. elegans as an early-warning system for mammalian embryonic and developmental toxicity.
We plan to test known embryotoxic compounds and ask whether they are also embryotoxic to C. elegans. Additionally, where the mechanism of vertebrate toxicity is known, we aim to test for the conservation of toxicological mechanism between vertebrates and nematodes using, for example, reverse genetic techniques.
We are looking for someone interested in working on this at our research site at Jealott’s Hill, UK. We have funding for the remainder of 2009 only, however if the project is successful there may be the possibility of extension.
This project would be a great opportunity for someone who has recently completed a PhD or who is between post-docs and would like to experience science in industry. Do not worry if you do not have experience working on toxicology, enthusiasm along with good experience of working with C. elegans will be enough.
Please note that we need to fill this position immediately.
If interested please get in touch as soon as possible describing your suitability for the position.
Anthony Flemming
Anthony.flemming@syngenta.com
www.syngenta.com