Assistant Breeder - Cucumber (m/f/d)

KWS SAAT SE; Almería; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

KWS Vegetables in Almería, Spain is seeking an Assistant Breeder – Cucumber to join our breeding team on a full-time, permanent basis. You will contribute to developing new cucumber varieties, manage trials, and analyze data in an international, collaborative setting.

The role involves working closely with the Breeder and team, designing breeding plans, coordinating activities, and translating market needs into breeding goals while maintaining high standards and timely results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Genetics or related field.
• Several years of experience in plant breeding and related practices.
• Good command of English, strong analytical and data-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist Breeder to optimize breeding program efficiency and output.
• Design and plan short-term breeding plans and associated trials.
• Execute autonomous breeding trials and document results.
• Manage basic stock seeds and coordinate with production.
• Coordinate with technical staff and provide guidance on breeding activities.

Skills

English

Analytical skills

Data management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Field/greenhouse work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Genetics or closely related field

Tools

Spreadsheets

Databases

Statistical analysis

MIS

Job description

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Every successful variety starts with an idea – and the people who bring it to life.

At KWS Vegetables, we are passionate about developing innovative vegetable varieties that meet the needs of growers and markets around the world. Behind every step of this journey are dedicated people combining scientific knowledge, practical experience and teamwork.

As part of our continued development, we are looking for an Assistant Breeder – Cucumber (m/f/d) to join our breeding team in Almería, Spain. This is a full-time, permanent position.

In this role, you will work closely with our Cucumber Breeder and the wider team, contributing to the development of new cucumber varieties that respond to market needs through breeding activities, trial management and data analysis in an international and collaborative environment.

Your Responsibilities:

• Assist and support the Breeder in optimizing the efficiency and output of the breeding program by designing and implementing new technologies and breeding methods in order to ensure a constant flow of commercially successful varieties.
• Design, evaluate and formulate with the Breeder the short-term breeding plan, the work process and performance by means of drawing up trial data in the filing system, preparing summary reports, giving feedback, making proposals and drawing conclusions about the breeding program in order to facilitate and enable divisional and corporate decision‑making.
• Design and plan and, after approval of the Breeder, implement, execute, evaluate, analyze, interpret and document autonomously breeding trials and their results in line with the breeding plan, guidelines and procedures, in order to optimize the efficiency and output of the breeding program.
• Manage and execute the increase and maintenance of basic stock seed in coordination with the Breeder, Stock Seed and/or Production departments in order to ensure the availability of the quantity and quality of basic stock seeds.
• Manage an accurate and detailed breeding administration and implement new ICT systems in cooperation with the IT Application Manager, within the breeding team and in accordance with the procedures and guidelines in the breeding department, in order to enable the running of an efficient and effective breeding program.
• Coordinate and communicate the breeding program activities to the technical assistant(s) and the crop technicians within the breeding team and provide them with technical advice in order to meet agreed standards, time planning and budgets.
• Develop and maintain an updated and broad vision of market demands and translate market demands into breeding goals in order to act as an equal discussion partner for the Breeder on all breeding issues and to replace the Breeder for short to medium-term periods (max. 1 year).

Your Profile:

• Bachelor's degree (BSc) in Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Genetics or a closely related field.
• A few years of experience in plant breeding.
• Working knowledge of horticultural practices and procedures, genetics and plant breeding.
• Good command of English, both written and spoken.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to work with management information systems, databases, spreadsheets and statistical analysis.
• Ability to operate specialized breeding and research equipment.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative and team-oriented mindset.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with attention to detail.
• Openness to improvements, flexibility and the ability to work efficiently under pressure.
• Willingness to work hands‑on with plants in field or greenhouse conditions.

Interested in growing your career with KWS?

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About KWS

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies and employs around 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries. With the tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for more than 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seeds for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflowers. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods and invests a significant amount in research and development.

At KWS, diversity is not just a value; it is an essential part of our success. Breeding resilient crops requires diversity; likewise, our strength comes from the diversity of our teams. Whatever your background or identity is, we invite you to join us.

Further information: https://www.kws.com/corp/en/careers/ . Follow us on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/company/kwsgroup/ .

Our data privacy policy for candidates is available on www.kws.com/dataprotection . Please select the country where the job you applied for is posted in and, if applicable, the specific business unit.