Staff Research Scientist - Potato Breeding and Genomics

Agroscope; Zürich; On-site; CHF 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Working for Switzerland

Embracing diversity

Staying healthy at work

Job summary

Agroscope in Zürich, Switzerland, seeks a highly motivated PhD-level researcher to advance potato breeding and genomic approaches. You will manage projects, coordinate research activities, and collaborate with partners from research and practice in an international team.

The role includes developing pre-breeding methods, conducting field trials, and translating genomic findings into practical breeding applications, with opportunities to publish and present internationally.

Qualifications

• PhD in plant genetics, plant breeding or plant physiology.
• You are highly motivated, self-reliant, resilient and a proactive team-player.
• Experience writing and/or managing project applications (Swiss/EU) and networking.
• Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative approaches to potato breeding and coordinate with research and breeding partners.
• Manage and autonomously plan and coordinate the project and related activities.
• Develop and implement pre-breeding approaches, mutagenesis and field trials; conduct screening and basic breeding steps.
• Perform genomic studies focusing on genomics, epigenomics and bioinformatics; translate findings to breeding applications.
• Prepare results for dissemination to breeders and the sector; publish in journals and present at conferences; engage with stakeholders.
• Acquire and manage externally funded projects, including drafting applications and supervising students.

Skills

Team-player

English proficiency

Education

PhD in plant genetics

Job description

Zürich, Switzerland | 80-100% |

This is how you can contribute

• We are looking for a committed and independent individual to develop innovative approaches to potato breeding and, working together with partners from research and breeding, to expedite the implementation of these approaches in basic research through to practical breeding applications
• Project management and research planning: Responsible and autonomous management of the project as well as planning and coordination of the associated research activities
• Innovative potato breeding: Developing and implementing pre-breeding approaches, including mutagenesis and novel breeding methods, as well as carrying out field trials, screening and fundamental breeding processes
• Genomics and bioinformatics: Performing and assessing genomic studies with a focus on genomics, epigenomics and bioinformatics, and translating the findings into application-oriented breeding approaches
• Scientific publication and knowledge transfer: Generating usable results for breeding, practitioners and the sector; independent publication of research results in recognised professional journals and presentation of papers at national and international congresses. Active knowledge exchange with stakeholders
• Acquisition and management of third-party-funded projects, including developing and drafting project applications; supervision of students

This makes you unique

• PhD (or equivalent) in plant genetics, plant breeding or plant physiology. Skills in phenotyping stress responses and diseases. Experience with field trials or novel breeding methods are a plus
• You are highly motivated, self-reliant, resilient and a proactive team-player. You have experience in collaborating with partners from research and practice as well as publishing in international professional journals, and enjoy working in an international team
• You have innovative ideas and have already written and/or managed (Swiss or EU) project applications, and enjoy national and international networking
• Knowledge of two official Swiss languages and English

In a nutshell

The aim of this project is to adapt potatoes to climate change and new diseases as rapidly as possible. Are you ready for this challenge?

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 'Crop Genome Dynamics' Research Group investigates how plants can adapt rapidly to climate change at a genetic and epigenetic level. These basic findings support the development of new breeding methods and approaches, which then should help make our crops more 'climate-ready' faster. For this, the Research Group uses genomic and epigenomic bioinformatics tools.

Questions about the position

Etienne Bucher Head of Research Group [phone]

Questions about applying

Raphaël Brandt [phone]