KWS Cereals USA is looking for a Hybrid Wheat Breeder to be located with our breeding team in Champaign, IL. The responsibility of this position is to transition and further develop the Soft Winter Wheat line breeding programs into hybrid breeding programs. 

Essential job functions:

• Hybrid Wheat Breeding – functions include but are not limited to the below mentioned responsibilities.
  • Explore, evaluate and develop a pool concept for wheat hybrids in the Soft Red Winter market in the US
  • Develop maintenance breeding protocol for female lines and become an expert on KWS’ proprietary male sterility system
  • Work with KWS’ breeding technology team in Einbeck to develop hybrid predictive breeding strategy
  • Ensure crossing takes future pool structure into considerations
  • Explore F1 trait expression in US germplasm for key traits
  • Set-up GCA and SCA test cross productions and trials
  • Coordinate US aimed test cross production where necessary
  • Build data sets on relevant traits in male and female pools
  • Work closely with hybrid wheat breeders and pre-breeders in Europe on pool development and breeding systems, ensuring that similar breeding approaches/strategies are implemented across hybrid programs globally

• Line Breeding
  • Support line breeding programs and variety development in all areas deemed necessary

• General
  • Manage and assist in phenotyping, seed processing, planting, harvest and data management processes
  • Engage with breeding and technology teams in Europe and HQ, volunteering to lead cross-program / cross-crop topics where appropriate
  • Ensure, that costs are kept within budget thresholds for hybrid wheat activities in the US
  • Train and provide technical supervision of permanent and seasonal staff as needed
  • Ensure compliance and participation in Safety, Stewardship and Regulatory policies, while setting high standards of professional conduct
  • Regular travel and/or drive on behalf of the business.
  • Meet attendance requirements, this position is not suited for hybrid or remote working.
  • Ensure the Company handbook, Rules, Guidelines and Procedures, and safety policies are followed, and personal protective equipment is used correctly
  • Other duties as assigned

Required qualifications:

• MSc or PhD degree in Breeding, Agronomy, Plant Genetics or Horticulture or a related scientific field.

• 3 or more years of relevant work experience in hybrid field crop breeding
• Previous experience in wheat a plus, but not essential
• Strong computer and analytical skills and the ability to learn new database and related computer systems.
• Working knowledge of molecular markers and implementation of genomic prediction methods in a breeding program
• Ability to work independently
• Specialized knowledge of variety testing, statistical analysis and experimental design.
• People management skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and writing communication skills.
• Critical, logical and innovative thinking ability to plan present and future needs.
• Valid Driver’s license.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Flexibility to work extended workdays and occasional weekends as season requires.

Working environment

Must wear required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as needed. Ability to work indoor/outdoor in varied environmental conditions (loud, hot, cold, dusty, damp, etc.). Occasional overnight travel as needed, including international travel. Exposure to pollen and chemicals.

Physical demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

We look forward to receiving your online application via our application system SuccessFactors! Please use the "Apply" function in the online advertisement.