Junior Molecular Breeder Open Field Crops

Enza Zaden Services B.V.; Enkhuizen; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Laptop and mobile phone

Annual bonus (10% of salary)

8.33% vacation allowance

25 vacation days + additional days

Remote work allowance

Pension/retirement plan

Travel accommodation support

Job summary

Enza Zaden is seeking a Junior Molecular Breeder Open Field Crops based in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. You will bridge molecular science and practical breeding, contributing to global programs and multiple crops, with emphasis on data analysis, greenhouse and field evaluation, and project coordination.

The role offers 38 hours/week, a strong benefits package including travel support, remote work allowances, and opportunities for career development within a leading vegetable seed company.

Qualifications

• MSc degree in Plant Sciences, Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, Genetics, or a related field
• 0–3 years of experience in plant breeding, molecular breeding, genetics, biotechnology, or applied research
• Knowledge of genetics, molecular biology, marker technologies, and data analysis
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proactive, collaborative mindset with excellent English communication and willingness to travel internationally 1–3 times per year

Responsibilities

• Supporting pre-breeding and molecular breeding projects focused on strategic trait development
• Analyzing molecular and phenotypic data to support breeding decisions and trait introgression
• Contributing to the development, validation, and implementation of molecular breeding tools and methodologies
• Supporting the establishment and optimization of breeding pipelines for complex traits
• Collaborating with breeders, researchers, and other specialists across international teams
• Supporting the coordination of activities across projects and global breeding programs

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data analysis

English communication

Project coordination

Education

MSc in Plant Sciences / Plant Breeding / Biotechnology / Genetics

Tools

Marker technologies

Job description

Junior Molecular Breeder Open Field Crops

A strong breeding pipeline starts with translating molecular insights into practical breeding decisions. In this role as Junior Molecular Breeder Open Field Crops, you will support the development and implementation of strategic traits within our global breeding programs. Working at the intersection of molecular science and breeding, you will help bridge research and practical breeding applications, contributing to the development of innovative vegetable varieties for the future. Make a difference as Junior Molecular Breeder Open Field Crops As a Junior Molecular Breeder Open Field Crops, you will play an important role in supporting breeding teams around the world. Based in Enkhuizen, the Netherlands, you will work in an international environment where science, innovation, and collaboration come together to develop the next generation of vegetable varieties. While your primary focus will be on Brassica crops, you will also contribute to projects involving leek, radish, beetroot, onion, carrot and others. Working closely with breeders, molecular scientists, and researchers, you will support breeding programs globally and help accelerate the implementation of strategic traits in breeding pipelines. You will divide your time between data analysis, greenhouse and field evaluations, and project coordination activities. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands‑on experience while translating scientific insights into practical breeding solutions.

In this role, your work will include:

• Supporting pre-breeding and molecular breeding projects focused on strategic trait development
• Analyzing molecular and phenotypic data to support breeding decisions and trait introgression
• Contributing to the development, validation, and implementation of molecular breeding tools and methodologies
• Supporting the establishment and optimization of breeding pipelines for complex traits
• Collaborating with breeders, researchers, and other specialists across international teams
• Supporting the coordination of activities across projects and global breeding programs

What you bring as our future colleague

As a Junior Molecular Breeder Open Field Crops, you are curious, analytical, and eager to translate scientific insights into practical applications. You have a connection with plants and are excited to see how molecular insights translate into improvements in the greenhouse and field. You enjoy working in multidisciplinary teams and are comfortable balancing multiple priorities in an international environment. With a proactive mindset and strong collaboration skills, you know how to connect data, people, and breeding objectives. In addition, you have:

• An MSc degree in Plant Sciences, Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, Genetics, or a related field
• Preferably 0-3 years of experience in plant breeding, molecular breeding, genetics, biotechnology, or applied research
• Knowledge of genetics, molecular biology, marker technologies, and data analysis
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• A proactive, collaborative mindset with excellent communication skills in English and an eagerness to learn and develop
• Willingness to travel internationally 1-3 times per year

Enza Zaden as your employer

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.

What you can expect from us

• A position for 38 hours per week
• A gross monthly salary between €3,629 and €4,746 (Scale 7, Collective Labor Agreement for 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
• A contribution toward overnight accommodation costs if you live farther away from Enza Zaden. This program applies to employees working for Enza Zaden in the Netherlands whose one-way commute exceeds 100 kilometers and 75 minutes
• 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

Let's connect

Looking for a career that grows with you? This role cannot be filled on an interim basis.

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

Want to learn more about Enza Zaden? Visit our website.

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

Haven’t found the right role yet? Be the first to hear about opportunities that match your profile. 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.