Postdoctoral Research Associate on Field Crops Research

Agroscope; Nyon; Remote; CHF 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Agroscope is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to develop and implement solutions for evaluating genotype performance in field crops. You will collaborate with partners from public and private sectors to strengthen field crop research activities.

The position is based in Nyon, Switzerland with the option to work from home and a one-year contract starting Jan 1, 2027. You will contribute to data-driven breeding and dissemination of results.

Qualifications

• PhD in agronomy, crop science, plant breeding with good knowledge of statistical modelling.
• Results-oriented and self-motivated with ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Advanced skills in R programming and management and analysis of extensive datasets.
• Experience writing manuscripts and programming with peer-reviewed publications and Git repositories.
• Very good knowledge of two official Swiss languages and spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Collate, organize, and analyze datasets, including data from drones and sensors.
• Apply and improve modeling approaches for grain yield, protein content, and other traits.
• Develop methods to characterize variety adaptation across production areas and systems.
• Support field trials planning, coordination, and supervision (field work, post-harvest, lab analyses).
• Publish outcomes in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Support students and technicians in data analysis.

Skills

R programming

Data analysis

Statistics

Academic writing

Git

English

Swiss languages

Education

PhD in agronomy/crop science/plant breeding

Tools

None

Job description

Nyon, Switzerland (and working from home) | 80-90%

This is how you can contribute

• Collate, organize, and analyze datasets, including data obtained with drones and sensors
• Apply, evaluate, and improve modeling approaches (empirical and mechanistic) for grain yield, grain protein content and other important traits
• Develop quantitative methods to characterize variety adaptation to different production areas and systems, taking into account genotype by environment by management interactions
• Collect data and support the planning, coordination, and supervision of field trials (field work, post-harvest operations and laboratory analyses)
• Publish the outcomes of your research in international peer-reviewed journals
• Support students and technicians in the analysis of existing data repositories

This makes you unique

• PhD in agronomy, crop science, plant breeding with good knowledge of statistical modelling
• Results-oriented and self-motivated person with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Advanced skills in: R programming and management and analysis of extensive datasets
• Demonstrated experience writing manuscripts and programming by means of authored peer reviewed publications and Git repositories, respectively
• Very good knowledge of two official Swiss languages and spoken and written English

In a nutshell

Agroscope is seeking a postdoctoral research associate who can help develop and implement solutions for evaluating the performance of genotypes of field crops. As a postdoctoral research associate, you will strengthen activities on field crop research and interact with partners from the public and private sectors.

Closing date for applications: November 15, 2026.

Start: 1 January 2027 or upon agreement. The position is for one year.

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.

Additional information

The 'Cultivation Techniques and Varieties in Arable Farming' Research Group is dedicated to researching sustainable production techniques and new climate-change-adapted varieties for the main field-crop species cultivated according to various production techniques (integrated production, quality labels or organic farming). To accomplish its mission, it is active in testing, mainly in the field, from Lake Geneva to East Switzerland.

Questions about the position

Juan Manuel Herrera Mourente Senior Scientist [phone]