As part of our growth strategy and our plans to establish state-of-the-art Research Teams for our Vegetable Business Unit, we are looking for a hands-on Research Technician Phytopathology, based at our KWS station in Murcia, Spain. The Phytopathology Technician will support the Phytopathology team in the department needs. Areas of expertise include plant pathology (including virology, mycology, entomology, and nematology), routine testing, diagnostics and disease monitoring, with a focus on routine application of methodologies to support the breeding tasks. She/He will report to the Research Scientist Phytopathology in Spain. The intended starting date for this position is July 1st, 2025.

You responsabilities:

• Execute protocols for routine disease testing for the vegetable crops
• Proper maintenance of phyto trials
• Proactive and efficient collaboration and coordination of farm team to meet phyto needs
• Phytopathology lab maintenance with the proper quality standards
• Execute of hygiene protocols in Phyto facilities
• Maintenance/supervision of pathogen stocks
• Proper storage/organization of Phyto consumables

Your Tasks:

• Assist and support the Phytopathology team in optimizing the efficiency and output of the departmental tasks
• Execute routine disease testing bioassays, from inoculum production to trial management (fertigation, watering, crop protection, pruning…)  
• Collaborate in the design and set up of phyto trials in greenhouse and climate cell
• Support Phytopathology team on data collection of resistance screening trials
• Execution and supervision of the fulfilment of hygiene measures in phyto facilities
• Responsible of maintenance of pathogens stocks. .
• Support Assistants and Scientists on work lab
• Responsible for the organization and tracking of greenhouse and lab consumables
• Coordinate and supervise farm personnel during the daily work in Phyto tasks including sowings, transplanting, samplings, trial removal.

Your profile: 

• BSc in Biology, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineer or a closely related discipline
• Have 3+ years of experience in the field of plant pathology; preferably in an industrial setting
• Language skills: Spanish and English (intermediate level)
• Team player and good interpersonal skills
• Resilient person and able to work independently.
• Willingness to travel locally (Murcia-Almeria)

We look forward to receiving your application through the KWS Job Portal application system.