Junior Breeder

Enza Zaden Services B.V.; Enkhuizen; On-site; EUR 41,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Laptop and mobile phone

Retirement plan

Commuting reimbursement

Remote work allowance

Great to Grow program

Vacation days

Job summary

Enza Zaden is seeking a Junior Breeder Cauliflower & Kohlrabi to actively participate in breeding trials, assess plant performance, and analyze data. You’ll work hands-on in field and greenhouse settings and gradually take on more responsibility within the breeding program.

You will collaborate with experienced breeders, contribute to selecting future varieties, and develop your expertise while aligning with our Grow program and global standards. A MSc in plant sciences supports this growth.

Qualifications

• MSc degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Genetics or a related field.
• Basic understanding of plant breeding and genetics.
• Interest in working with breeding data and data-driven breeding methods.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Ability and willingness to work in field and greenhouse trials.
• A valid driving licence and willingness to travel regularly within Europe.

Responsibilities

• Observe, evaluate and select plants in breeding and screening trials.
• Record, process and analyze breeding and screening data.
• Plan and prepare breeding activities and trials.
• Support the execution and follow-up of breeding projects.
• Use data to support selection decisions and improve breeding activities.
• Work independently on assigned activities while collaborating with the breeding team.

Skills

English communication

Willing to travel

Education

MSc in Plant Breeding

Job description

Developing strong new varieties starts with making the right breeding decisions. As Junior Breeder Cauliflower & Kohlrabi, you will work hands-on with breeding trials and data, while learning from experienced breeders and gradually taking on more responsibility. This is your opportunity to develop as a breeder while contributing directly to the future of our cauliflower and kohlrabi varieties. Make a difference as a Junior Breeder

As Junior Breeder Cauliflower & Kohlrabi, you will contribute to the development of new varieties by supporting breeding and screening activities from trial to selection. You will combine hands-on observations in the field and greenhouse with the processing and analysis of breeding data, helping the team make well-informed selection decisions. Working closely with experienced breeders, you will develop your expertise while gradually taking on more responsibility within the breeding program. In this role, your work will include:

• Observing, evaluating and selecting plants in breeding and screening trials
• Recording, processing and analyzing breeding and screening data
• Planning and preparing breeding activities and trials
• Supporting the execution and follow-up of breeding projects
• Using data to support selection decisions and improve breeding activities
• Working independently on assigned activities while collaborating closely with the breeding team

What you bring as our future colleague

As Junior Breeder Cauliflower & Kohlrabi, you are curious, observant and eager to develop your expertise in plant breeding. You work accurately and feel comfortable combining hands‑on work with data, using your observations and analytical skills to support breeding decisions. You enjoy working as part of a team, while also taking responsibility for your own activities. In addition, you have:

• A MSc degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Genetics or a related field
• A basic understanding of plant breeding and genetics
• An interest in working with breeding data and data‑driven breeding methods
• Good communication skills in English
• The ability and willingness to work in field and greenhouse trials
• A valid driving licence and the willingness to travel regularly within Europe

Please note that we can only consider candidates who are already eligible to work in the Netherlands, as visa sponsorship and relocation support are not available for this position.

Enza Zaden is an international family‑owned company that has been developing innovative vegetable varieties since 1938. Together with more than 3,300 colleagues worldwide, we work on vegetable seeds with better flavor, higher yields and strong resistances. We do this from our mission: "Breeding to feed the world." Every day, more than 480 million people eat vegetables grown from our seeds, and that is something we are very proud of. We are passionate about our work and care about one another. Good ideas are given room to grow and together we keep moving forward. This is how we continue to grow and innovate, both as a company and as colleagues.

We believe it is important that you can grow in your work and feel good about what you do. That is why we invest in your development, well-being, and job satisfaction. Through our Great to Grow development program, our focus on vitality, and activities that bring colleagues together, we create a work environment where you can keep learning and contribute with energy and enjoyment.

You can also count on:

• A position for 38 hours per week
• A gross monthly salary between €3,655 and €4,781 (Salary Scale 7, Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Vegetable Seed Companies), based on a full‑time workweek of 38 hours and aligned with your knowledge and experience
• 8.33% vacation allowance and an attractive annual bonus program of 10% of your annual salary, depending on your job level and company performance
• 25 vacation days, the option to purchase additional vacation days, and one paid vitality day per year, with extra vacation days granted as you get older
• A laptop and mobile phone provided by Enza Zaden
• An attractive retirement plan, commuting reimbursement if you live more than 10 kilometers from your workplace and a remote work allowance when working partly from home in consultation with your manager
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth through our Great to Grow development program, training courses, workshops, and e‑learning platform
• Plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues outside of your daily work through social events organized by the Staff Association, as well as Young Enza networking events, inspiration sessions, and social gatherings. We also host an annual summer barbecue, Christmas market and New Year's reception
• A strong focus on your health and well-being, including free fresh fruit, healthy lunch options at the office, a bike‑to‑work program, sports activities through enzActive, and mental well‑being support through OpenUp

Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on background, identity, or personal characteristics.

Great Place To Grow - Breeding to feed the world, creating value for sustainable life and living

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Our employees are the driving power of our company. From their specific sphere of expertise, each individual contributes to creating the vegetable varieties of the future. We rely on specialists and the wide‑ranging skills amassed by people with years of experience in the field. And the innovative vision of interns and newcomers. We value this knowledge and experience and therefore invest in our people by providing plenty of opportunity for personal development and advancement.

Take a look at our current vacancies and see if there is an opportunity that suits you.