Breeding Researcher

Admin; Zürich; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Working for Switzerland

Embracing diversity

Staying healthy at work

Job summary

Agroscope in Switzerland invites a PhD-level plant breeding expert to lead a research project focused on future onion breeding, including genomics and phenotyping. You will oversee operations, collaborate across teams, and drive innovation in pre-breeding and disease-resistance breeding.

You will network with partners, secure funding, publish results, and supervise junior researchers across national and international collaborations.

Qualifications

• PhD/Doctorate in plant breeding, genetics, molecular biology or a comparable discipline
• Strong knowledge of modern breeding methods: genomic selection, marker-assisted selection, genome analysis
• Experience with interdisciplinary projects and securing third-party funding

Responsibilities

• Operational and scientific management of a research project for onion breeding
• Develop and implement innovative breeding approaches in pre-breeding, molecular breeding, genomics and phenotyping
• Building expertise in disease-resistance and climate-resilience breeding with a focus on onion breeding
• Networking with research and breeding partners, preparing research project applications, securing third-party funding, and project management
• Publishing the results and disseminating them to practitioners
• Supervising junior researchers and collaborating with internal, national and international partners

Skills

Genomics

Phenotyping

Marker-assisted selection

Genomic selection

Genetic association studies

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Networking skills

Education

PhD/Doctorate in plant breeding, genetics, molecular biology or a comparable discipline

Job description

This is how you can contribute

• Operational and scientific management of a research project for developing a future-oriented onion breeding sector
• Developing and implementing innovative breeding approaches in the fields of pre-breeding, molecular plant breeding, genomics and phenotyping
• Building and refining new expertise in disease-resistance and climate-resilience breeding with a focus on onion breeding
• Networking with research and breeding partners, preparing research project applications in the field of activity, securing third-party funding, and project management
• Publishing the results and disseminating them to practitioners
• Supervising junior researchers and research assistants; collaborating with internal, national and international partners

This makes you unique

• PhD/Doctorate in plant breeding, genetics, molecular biology or a comparable discipline
• Sound knowledge of modern breeding methods such as genomic selection, marker-assisted selection, genetic association studies, genome analysis or phenotyping
• Interdisciplinary project experience; enjoys working with partners from research, breeding and agricultural practice
• Experience in developing and managing scientific projects and in securing competitive third-party funding
• Stategic thinker, high level of personal initiative and strong communication and networking skills
• Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English

Our benefits

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the successful Swiss model and work for the public good.
• Embracing diversity Thanks to equal opportunities, we draw on our expertise and contribute different perspectives.
• Staying healthy at work We support and advise our employees in the area of physical and mental health.

Good food, healthy environment

Agroscope is the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research in the agriculture and food sector. Its researchers work at a number of sites in Switzerland. Headquartered in Bern-Liebefeld (as of 2026: Posieux), Agroscope is attached to the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.