Pre Breeder

Pre Breeder

Field of Work:  Breeding
Location: 

Andijk, NorthHolland, NL

Legal Entity:  BU Vegetables (501)
Contract Type: 
Is Full Time?:  Yes
Onsite/ Remote: 
Job ID:  16495

Do you want to shape the genetic foundation of future spinach varieties?

 

As a Pre Breeder, you play a critical role at the very start of the breeding pipeline developing novel genetic material, unlocking valuable traits, and accelerating innovation for our global breeding programs.

 

At KWS Vegetables, you operate at the intersection of science and application. You transform research insights into practical breeding solutions and ensure a continuous flow of innovation into our breeding pipelines worldwide.

 

You are based at our R&D location in Andijk and report to the Head of Breeding. In this role, you work closely with breeders, researchers, crop teams and external partners on a global scale.

 

Hungry for something fresh? Join KWS Vegetables to shape the future of vegetables by unlocking the genetics behind tomorrow’s varieties. At KWS Vegetables, we are not here to follow, but there to pioneer.

 

 

Your Responsibilities

  • Develop and enhance germplasm by collecting, generating and characterizing genetic diversity

  • Discover, validate and introgress novel traits with commercial relevance into breeding material in collaboration with the breeding and research teams

  • Drive innovation by developing and applying new methods, tools and technologies to increase breeding efficiency and genetic gain

  • Translate scientific discoveries into breeder-ready solutions enabling effective trait deployment

 

Your path to success

  • Design and execute prebreeding projects from concept through delivery, ensuring a continuous pipeline of innovations

  • Collaborate closely with internal research teams (e.g. genetics, phytopathology, data science) to integrate trait discovery, validation and deployment

  • Build and maintain partnerships with external stakeholders (universities, research institutes, gene banks) to access novel diversity, technologies and expertise

  • Contribute to knowledge sharing by documenting results and communicating insights across the R&D organization

 

 

To seed your future, you’ve got the following skills

  • MSc with 3 years’ experience, or a PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics or related field

  • Strong expertise in genetics, plant breeding, molecular tools, plant pathology and physiology

  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects and translate science into application

  • Strong analytical mindset and problem-solving skills

  • Innovative, entrepreneurial and pragmatic approach

  • Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate in international teams

 

Reasons to develop your talents within KWS Vegetables

  • Play a key role in seeding the future by building the genetic backbone of tomorrow’s varieties

  • Work on cutting-edge breeding innovation with global impact

  • Join a highly collaborative, international R&D environment

  • A strategic role with ownership over projects and innovation pipeline

  • Plenty of room to grow as a Freshplorer within a forward-thinking organization

  • Competitive salary, bonus opportunities and strong benefits package.

 

 

Ready to shape the future of breeding at KWS Vegetables?
Apply now and join a global team dedicated to breaking new grounds in the vegetable seed industry!
For further details, please contact Mathieu Wident, Head of Breeding, at Mathieu.wident@kws.com  


If you’re excited to seize this opportunity, click the button below to apply immediately.

 

Apply now!

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About KWS
KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies. Nearly 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.68 billion in the fiscal year 2023/2024. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for almost 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants’ resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €300 million last fiscal year in research and development. For more information: www.kws.com/career. Follow us on LinkedIn® at https://linkedin.com/company/kwsgroup/.

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