Research Technician Phytopathology (m/f/d)

KWS Group; Almería; Presencial; EUR 25.000 - 45.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Join a forward-thinking company as a Research Technician in Phytopathology, where you will play a crucial role in supporting the Phytopathology team. This position involves executing disease testing protocols, maintaining lab standards, and collaborating with farm teams to ensure efficient operations. With a focus on plant pathology, you'll engage in hands-on work that directly impacts breeding tasks and crop health. If you are a team player with a background in biology or horticulture and a passion for agricultural innovation, this opportunity is perfect for you. Your contributions will help shape the future of sustainable agriculture in a dynamic environment.

Formación

• 3+ years of experience in plant pathology, preferably in an industrial setting.
• Intermediate language skills in Spanish and English.

Responsabilidades

• Execute protocols for routine disease testing for vegetable crops.
• Maintain and supervise pathogen stocks and lab hygiene protocols.
• Coordinate farm personnel during phytopathology activities.

Conocimientos

Plant Pathology

Diagnostics

Disease Monitoring

Collaboration

Data Collection

Educación

BSc in Biology

BSc in Horticulture

BSc in Agricultural Engineering

Descripción del empleo

As part of our growth strategy and our plans to establish state-of-the-art Research Teams for our Vegetable Business Unit, we are looking for a hands-on Research Technician Phytopathology, based at our KWS station in Murcia, Spain. The Phytopathology Technician will support the Phytopathology team in the department's needs. Areas of expertise include plant pathology (including virology, mycology, entomology, and nematology), routine testing, diagnostics, and disease monitoring, with a focus on routine application of methodologies to support breeding tasks. She/He will report to the Research Scientist Phytopathology in Spain. The intended starting date for this position is July 1st, 2025.

You responsibilities:

• Execute protocols for routine disease testing for vegetable crops
• Proper maintenance of phyto trials
• Proactive and efficient collaboration and coordination with the farm team to meet phytopathology needs
• Maintain phytopathology lab standards and hygiene protocols
• Maintain and supervise pathogen stocks
• Organize and store phytopathology consumables properly

Your tasks:

• Assist and support the phytopathology team to optimize departmental efficiency and output
• Execute routine disease bioassays, from inoculum production to trial management (fertigation, watering, crop protection, pruning, etc.)
• Contribute to the design and setup of phytopathology trials in greenhouse and climate chamber
• Support data collection for resistance screening trials
• Ensure hygiene measures are followed in phytopathology facilities
• Maintain pathogen stocks responsibly
• Support lab work alongside assistants and scientists
• Organize and track greenhouse and lab consumables
• Coordinate and supervise farm personnel during phytopathology activities, including sowing, transplanting, sampling, and trial removal

Your profile:

• BSc in Biology, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• At least 3 years of experience in plant pathology, preferably in an industrial setting
• Language skills: Spanish and English (intermediate level)
• Team player with good interpersonal skills
• Resilient and able to work independently
• Willing to travel locally within Murcia and Almeria

We look forward to receiving your application through the KWS Job Portal application system.