Staff Research Scientist - Potato Breeding and Genomics

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, the Swiss federal centre of excellence for agriculture and food research, seeks a committed researcher to develop innovative potato breeding approaches and coordinate collaborative projects from basic research to practical breeding applications.

The role requires a PhD in plant genetics, plant breeding or plant physiology, with strong teamwork, independent work style, and experience collaborating with research and practice partners; knowledge of two Swiss languages and English is

Qualifications

• PhD-level expertise required in plant genetics, plant breeding or physiology.
• Strong collaboration skills with researchers and practitioners.
• Ability to publish results in international journals and present at conferences.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement innovative potato breeding approaches and pre-breeding methods.
• Plan, manage and coordinate research projects and associated activities.
• Conduct field trials, screening, and fundamental breeding processes.
• Perform and interpret genomics, epigenomics and bioinformatics studies; translate findings into breeding applications.
• Support knowledge transfer through publications and stakeholder presentations.
• Acquire and manage third-party funding, draft project applications; supervise students.

Education

PhD (or equivalent) in plant genetics, plant breeding or plant physiology

Job description

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

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.

Questions about applying

Raphaël Brandt

[phone]

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.