Data & research expert dairy farming.

Talent.com; Maassluis; Hybrid; EUR 56,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Preventive medical examination

Lely Academy trainings

Campus sports facilities

Hybrid work policy

Shuttle to Maassluis metro

Job summary

Lely is seeking a Data & Research Expert Dairy Farming to connect data from 50,000+ robots with practical knowledge for advisers and farmers. You will bridge animal science, data science, and engineering to deliver actionable insights and tools.

You will lead analyses, develop dashboards, and collaborate across international teams, enabling informed decisions and knowledge transfer within Farm Management Support.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Animal Sciences, Livestock Sciences or closely related field.
• At least five years of relevant experience in data analysis or applied scientific research.
• Experience initiating or supervising scientific research and a network with universities or research organisations.
• Strong Python experience and proficiency with analytical/visualisation tools like SQL Server Management Studio and Tableau.
• Ability to connect diverse perspectives from farmers to researchers and engineers.
• Excellent spoken and written English for international collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Investigate complex questions in dairy farming and connect real-world data with scientific theory.
• Formulate research questions and identify universities or knowledge institutions to contribute to new knowledge.
• Support internal and external research with data and methodological expertise.
• Analyze trends in sensor and performance data and translate into visualisations and dashboards.
• Develop analytical tools for advisers and provide targeted training on use.
• Collaborate with international colleagues to guide data-driven research and decisions.

Skills

Python

SQL Server

Tableau

English

Education

Master's or PhD in Animal/Livestock Sciences

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

Tableau

Job description

Job Description

Imagine connecting scientific knowledge directly to day-to‑day decision‑making on dairy farms around the world. As a Data & Research Expert Dairy Farming, you use data from more than 50,000 installed robots to uncover new dependencies, initiate research and develop knowledge that enables dairy farmers and advisers to make well‑informed decisions. Within Farm Management Support, you work at the intersection of animal science, data science and agricultural practice. You bring structure to complex questions, assess findings from a scientific perspective and translate them into actionable insights, analytical tools and practical applications. You connect the experience of dairy farmers and advisers with the expertise of researchers, data specialists, engineers and product developers.

Key Responsibilities

• You investigate complex questions in dairy farming and connect real-world data with scientific theory, ensuring that insights are reliable, explainable and applicable.
• Together with colleagues, you formulate relevant research questions and identify universities, knowledge institutions and other research partners that can contribute to the development of new knowledge.
• You support internal and external research with data, methodological expertise and substantive knowledge of dairy farming, translating the results into applications within Lely.
• You analyse trends and patterns in sensor and performance data, translating them into clear visualisations and dashboards that support advisers and decision-makers.
• You develop analytical tools for advisers in the field and provide targeted training to help them use these tools carefully and effectively.
• You collaborate with international colleagues, data specialists and external analysts, contributing on behalf of Farm Management Support to the direction of data-driven research and decision‑making.

Qualifications

You combine a strong scientific foundation with an in‑depth understanding of the agricultural or livestock farming context. You can refine research questions, critically assess the quality and significance of data, and communicate complex conclusions convincingly to both researchers and professionals in the field.

• A completed master’s degree or PhD in Animal Sciences, Livestock Sciences or a closely related agricultural discipline.
• At least five years of relevant experience in data analysis, applied scientific research or a combination of both.
• Demonstrable experience in initiating, conducting or supervising scientific research, as well as a relevant network within universities, knowledge institutions or research organisations.
• Strong experience with Python and with analytical and visualisation environments such as Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio and Tableau.
• The ability to connect a wide range of perspectives, from dairy farmers and advisers to technicians, researchers, engineers and product developers.
• Excellent spoken and written English, enabling you to operate effectively in an international research and collaboration environment.

Additional Information

Working at Lely means contributing to sustainable progress within one of the most innovative organizations in the Netherlands. You contribute to making the agricultural sector future‑proof, and we make sure that you get all the space, resources and support you need to do so. An international working environment with opportunities for own initiative and entrepreneurship. Excellent working conditions, including up to 8 weeks of vacation per year and a good pension scheme.

A gross monthly salary between € 5.015,- and € 7.163,-. This range reflects the full salary band for the position. Most candidates will enter somewhere within this range based on their relevant experience, skills, and qualifications, with further growth opportunities over time.

• You have the option to participate in a preventive medical examination.
• During the Christmas period, Lely closes its door for two weeks.
• Good growth opportunities: you are in control of your development and can choose from various training courses through our Lely Academy, from personal development to job‑specific training.
• Our modern Lely Campus offers daily access to extensive sports facilities: an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, an outdoor basketball and volleyball court, table tennis and table soccer.
• You can join Hyrox workouts or sign up for personal training - and challenge your colleagues during an active break.
• Enjoy fresh coffee and tea from our own barista, with milk straight from our farm, as well as a healthy and affordable company restaurant.
• A healthy work‑life balance thanks to our hybrid work policy: you work at least three days a week on Campus, with flexible working hours and plenty of room to spend extra time on site (between 06:00 and 20:00).
• A free shuttle bus will take you to and from the metro in Maassluis, so your workday starts and ends smoothly.
• Successes need to be celebrated: from anniversaries to Christmas parties - at Lely we know how to do it!