Postdoctoral Research Associate on Field Crops Research

Admin; Vaud; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Agroscope in Switzerland seeks a research professional to advance agronomy and crop science through data-intensive methods. You will collate, organize, and analyze datasets including drone and sensor data, and evaluate mechanistic and empirical models for grain yield and protein content.

You will develop quantitative methods to understand variety adaptation across production areas, and oversee field trials, data collection, and post-harvest analyses, with results published in international

Qualifications

• PhD in agronomy, crop science, or plant breeding with good knowledge of statistical modelling.
• Very good knowledge of two official Swiss languages and spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

R programming

Statistical modelling

Data analysis

Education

PhD in agronomy, crop science, plant breeding

Tools

Git

Job description

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

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.