Lead Breeder Hybrid Barley

KWS Group; Royston; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global plant breeding company is seeking an experienced Lead Breeder for its hybrid barley breeding program in the UK or France. You will oversee the variety development, manage junior breeders, and collaborate with production teams. The ideal candidate has a PhD in plant breeding, extensive commercial experience, and strong leadership skills. This full-time role offers competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme and work-life balance, in a dynamic and innovative environment.

Benefits

30 days of annual leave plus bank holidays

Competitive Pension Scheme with 16% Company contribution

Life Assurance, three times annual salary

Income Protection Plan at 75% of salary

Private Health Care Plan

Profit Related Bonus Scheme targeted at 15%

Lifestyles discount scheme

Reduced diesel prices

Social events such as BBQ and charity fundraising

Qualifications

• PhD in plant breeding or a related field with strong expertise in hybrid breeding methodology.
• Extensive experience in hybrid breeding within a commercial setting; cereal experience is an advantage.
• Proficiency in genomic tools and quantitative genetics, as well as field testing and statistical analysis.
• Proven leadership experience in managing breeding teams.
• Excellent communication skills in English is mandatory; French or German is a plus.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and collaborative approach.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel frequently to field sites in the UK and France during the summer season.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a hybrid barley breeding programme across UK and France with full budget responsibility.
• Manage and develop junior breeders, assistant breeders and technical staff.
• Develop male and female pools based on existing breeding programmes in Europe.
• Work collaboratively with barley breeding and research teams.
• Interact with seed production teams for cost-effective procedures.
• Collaborate with the commercial team for product identification and market introduction.

Skills

Plant breeding expertise

Hybrid breeding methodology

Genomic tools proficiency

Quantitative genetics

Field testing and statistical analysis

Leadership experience

Communication skills in English

Organizational skills

Time management skills

Collaborative approach

Education

PhD in plant breeding or related field

Job description

At KWS UK, we are seeking on a full-time and permanent contract basis an experiencedLead Breeder Hybrid Barleyfor our hybrid barley breeding program located either at our station in Thriplow near Cambridge, UK, or Mons-en-Pevele near Lille, FR.

You will be responsible for entering hybrid barley varieties into the European market, particularly UK and France. This involves continuous strengthening our hybrid pools, collaboration with seed production and commercial teams, and well as implementing results from ongoing research activities.

This is high-profile position in one of the world’s leading barley breeding companies. Hybrid barley is a key strategic target for KWS, and this position benefits from a high level of technical support from KWS HQ.

Your Task:

• Oversight of a hybrid barley breeding programme across UK and France with clear focus on variety development, with full budget and organization responsibility
• Manage and develop junior breeders, assistant breeders and technical staff
• Further develop male and female pools based on KWS’ existing breeding programmes in Europe
• Work collaboratively with KWS’ barley breeding and research teams to ensure full use of existing resources and knowledge
• Interact with seed production teams to develop cost-effective procedures
• Interact with commercial team for product identification, test and market introduction

Your Profile:

• PhD in plant breeding or a related field, with strong expertise in hybrid breeding methodology.
• Extensive experience in hybrid breeding within a commercial setting; cereal experience is an advantage.
• Proficiency in genomic tools and quantitative genetics, as well as field testing and statistical analysis.
• Proven leadership experience in managing breeding teams.
• Excellent communication skills in English is mandatory; French or German is a plus.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and collaborative approach.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel frequently to field sites in the UK and France during the summer season.

Our Offer:

• 30 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Highly competitive Pension Scheme with 16% Company contribution and 1.2% minimum employee contribution
• Life Assurance, of three times annual salary
• Income Protection Plan at 75% of salary for long-term illness and disability for a period of three years
• Private Health Care Plan
• Profit Related Bonus Scheme, targeted at 15% of annual salary
• Membership of Lifestyles discount scheme
• Reduced diesel prices from the company’s fuel pump
• A fun working environment where we take care of each other. We also organize social events such as a Summer Staff BBQ, a Christmas party and charity fundraising events

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a strategic breeding program in a global company committed to innovation. If you are passionate about hybrid breeding and ready to make an impact, we would love to meet you.

Next Steps:

Apply directly via our career site. If selected, your first interview will be conducted by our recruitment team in Berlin via phone or Microsoft Teams.