Scientist Quantitative Genetics Sugarbeet & Cereals

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.

We are looking for a Quantitative Genetics Scientist (m/f/d) for Sugarbeet and Cereals for a permanent employment contract, on a full-time basis within KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA at our headquarters in Einbeck (Lower Saxony / Germany).

In this position, you will work closely with the global sugar beet and cereals breeding and breeding technology application teams. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the development and application of innovative predictive breeding tools.

Your responsibilities:

• Ensure and optimize application support in data analytics and biostatistics across multiple crops to drive breeding program success and increase rate of genetic gain.
• Develop a deep understanding of hybrid crops and the data analysis needs based on breeding strategy and operations
• Critically evaluate and continually expand quantitative genetics capabilities to improve breeding programs.
• Maintain a strong understanding of scientific developments related to data analysis methods.

Your tasks:

• Works independently to perform standard quantitative genetic analyses, including using mixed linear models to analyze phenotypic data, performing genomic predictions, analyses for cross planning, and monitoring genetic gain and genetic diversity.
• Proactively develops, optimizes and automates data analysis pipelines and systems in collaboration with other biostatisticians and members of the Breeding Information and Digital Product Management teams.
• Works closely with the Biostatistics and Digital Product Development teams to identify, test and implement innovative methods related to breeding program optimization, data-driven decision making, statistical analysis, simulation, algorithmic optimization.
• Regularly reviews emerging literature related to the implementation and validation of data analytics.
• Participates in collaborative scientific projects with public institutions

• Ph.D. in agricultural sciences with a focus on plant breeding and quantitative genetics, biostatistics or equivalent
• Few years of postgraduate experience in a relevant field is a plus (e.g. quantitative genetics, biostatistics)
• Experience with hybrid crops
• Passion for data analysis and ability to work with large data sets
• Proficiency in statistical software (R, Python, ASReml)
• Strive for value-added solutions in multidisciplinary teams
• Project management and good communication skills
• English is a prerequisite, professional knowledge of German would be a plus

• As a Scientist (m/f/d), you will contribute significantly to the success of the breeding department and the development of excellent varieties.
• As a family-owned company, we live a culture based on the values of team spirit, closeness and trust, independence and foresight.
• True to our motto "Make yourself grow", we encourage individual professional and personal development.
• We create the right environment for you:
  Capital formation benefits, company pension plan, Christmas and holiday bonuses, childcare allowance, company bike.