EMEA R&D Project Coordinator

SAKATA Vegetables Europe S.A.S.; Almería; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sakata Vegetables Europe S.A.S. is seeking an experienced EMEA R&D Projects Coordinator to drive cross‑regional research collaborations, funding applications and IP coordination.

You will report to the Head of Laboratories for EMEA and collaborate with Research, Legal, and Finance teams in Spain, France or South Africa. Ideal candidates hold an MSc with 5 years in genetics or plant breeding (PhD preferred), plus strong project management, communication and regulatory interpretation skills, with

Qualifications

• M.Sc with 5 years’ experience or PhD in genetics or plant breeding.
• Strong project management skills and ability to coordinate cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Solid analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply regulations with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate research projects with external partners across the EMEA region.
• Identify and manage collaborative projects with private and public institutions.
• Contribute to design of collaborative projects and manage funding applications.
• Coordinate and monitor approved projects and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Administer national funding and tax incentive schemes and IP matters.
• Prepare technical reports and coordinate IP preparation and filings with Legal.
• Organize arbitration/negotiations with the Legal Department.
• Ensure documentation meets deadlines and compliance requirements.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Regulatory interpretation

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Education

M.Sc in genetics or plant breeding

PhD (preferred) in genetics or plant breeding

Job description

Permanent contract / Full-time

Are you passionate about making a real impact in agricultural research? Do you enjoy collaborating on research projects? Are you seeking to combine your experience of genetics and plant breeding with project coordination in regulatory framework? Do you thrive in planning and organising in a deadline and compliance driven environment?

Continue reading to find out more about our new opportunity for an EMEA R&D Projects Coordinator.

A valuable member of the Research team, you will play a key role in facilitating the progress towards strategic research goals within EMEA by coordinating research projects with external partners, managing applications for funding and tax incentives, and taking responsibility for coordinating Intellectual Property matters.

What will you do?

Reporting to the Head of Laboratories for EMEA, you will work in close collaboration with Research, Legal, and Finance teams across the region to:

• Identify and Manage collaborative projects
• Identify opportunities for collaboration with private and public institutions in the sector.
• Contribute to the draft and design of collaborative projects with partners.
• Submit and manage project funding applications with various institutions.
• Coordinate and monitor approved projects.
• Manage project documentation and requirements for regulatory compliance.
• Administer national funding and tax incentive schemes
• Submit, and manage, applications to tax incentive programs.
• Prepare technical reports, coordinating with research teams to obtain information.
• Coordinate the process of certification management to obtain the Binding Motivated Report and meet legal and fiscal requirements.
• Manage documentation within the established deadlines and for compliance purposes.
• Intellectual Property (IP)
• Evaluate IP opportunities
• Oversee and coordinate IP preparation and filing
• Organize and communicate arbitration and negotiations in collaboration with the Legal Department

Where will you work?

You could be based in either Spain, France or South Africa.

Do you fit this profile?

You are fluent in English and Spanish (verbal and writing, formal and scientific) and have:

• An M.Sc with 5 years’ experience/ PhD specializing in genetics or plant breeding.
• Strong project management skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities
• Solid analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to interpret and apply regulations
• High attention to detail and strong problem-solving mindset

Want to know more about the company?

You will be part of the Sakata Vegetables EMEA team, part of the international Sakata Group. What makes Sakata different is that while being a key international player in the seed business, the company keeps a family spirit. This means 3 things:

• it’s a people-oriented company where it is easy to communicate at all levels
• you will work closely with your colleagues and customers and will never be far from the fields
• as a result of its Japanese origins, you'll be working for a stable company with an emphasis on long‑term.

What are the next steps?

• Apply on our website before 02/07/2026,
• You will have a first contact with a member of the EMEA HR team
• You will then meet with Vicente (Finance) and Schalk (your future manager)
• A final interview will be held with Laura Ann (Deputy Research Director) and Francisco (Managing Director)