Researcher Trait Discovery & Genomics - Carrot

Werkenbijbejo; Nederland; Hybrid; EUR 45,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Holiday allowance 8.33%

Benefits budget €800 net

Pension scheme

Vacation days

Wellness days

Employee association

Job summary

Bejo is seeking a Researcher Trait Discovery & Genomics - Carrot to turn genetic observations into candidate genes and breeding opportunities. You’ll work with multidisciplinary teams to validate genes and translate discoveries into practical breeding applications.

The role emphasizes discovery, functional validation, and robust research workflows, with a focus on carrot within Bejo’s Apiaceae program. Travel within NL and internationally is expected.

Qualifications

• MSc with experience in plant molecular biology, genetics or related discipline.
• Expertise in gene discovery, functional/genetic analysis, molecular breeding or computational plant science.
• Knowledge of genetic mapping approaches (QTL, bulked-segregant, GWAS) and integration to candidate genes.
• Experience identifying and prioritising candidate genes with data mining and AI-assisted methods.
• Experience with large multi-omics data is an advantage.
• Good project-organization, documentation, and cross-team coordination.
• Strong English communication and collaboration skills; willingness to travel in NL and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Translate ideas into well-designed experiments and scalable solutions.
• Coordinate experimental work with colleagues and assist researchers.
• Document methods and results and communicate complex findings clearly.
• Move projects from genetic observations to validated genes for breeding.

Skills

Gene discovery

QTL mapping

GWAS knowledge

Data mining

AI-supported methods

English proficiency

Collaborative teamwork

Project organization

Travel willingness

Education

MSc in plant molecular biology

Job description

Are you a curious molecular plant scientist who enjoys connecting genetics, molecular biology and AI-supported analysis? As our rooted-crop group expands, we are looking for a Researcher Trait Discovery & Genomics who will help turn biological questions into experimentally validated genes and practical opportunities for carrot breeding.

Within Bejo's Trait Discovery & Genomics department, you will contribute to the improvement of our Apiaceae portfolio, with a primary focus on carrot. You will work with researchers, assistant researchers, breeders and specialists in bioinformatics, phytopathology, cell biology and data science. Together, you will move projects from genetic observations and biological hypotheses to candidate genes, functional validation and application in breeding.

You will follow scientific and technological developments, evaluate emerging methods and translate promising approaches into robust, user-friendly research workflows. You will organize experimental work with assistant researchers, document methods and results, communicate complex findings clearly and keep a strong focus on useful outcomes for research and breeding.

This is what you get from us

At Bejo, you work in a committed family business with an informal and collegial atmosphere, where you are given ample room to develop your talent and maintain a good work-life balance. We invest in your growth, vitality, and sustainable employability, and offer an employment benefits package that suits what you need to enjoy your work.

For the role of Researcher Trait Discovery & Genomics - Carrot, you will receive, among other things:

• A gross monthly salary between € 4.050,00 and € 6.400,00 for full-time employment, supplemented by profit sharing and 8.33% holiday allowance.
• A flexible employment benefits budget of €800 net per year, freely spendable on, among other things, sports & vitality, work-life balance, mobility, and sustainability.
• Study and development opportunities, career advancement opportunities, and various vitality provisions
• Good pension scheme and supplementary insurance
• Vacation and wellness days in accordance with the Tuinzaden CAO
• Active employee association that organizes various company activities
• Social commitment, with a strong focus on sustainability and global food supply.

About you

You are an inventive and pragmatic plant scientist who likes understanding how genes influence plant traits. You can work independently but actively seek complementary expertise and enjoy collaborating in multidisciplinary teams. You combine scientific depth with a hands‑on mentality and can translate ideas into well-designed experiments and scalable solutions.

We believe a successful candidate will bring:

• Minimal a MSc with experience in plant molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, bioinformatics, computational biology or a related discipline.
• Expertise in gene discovery, functional or translational genetics, molecular breeding, plant biotechnology or computational plant science.
• Knowledge of genetic mapping approaches, such as QTL mapping, bulked‑segregant analysis or GWAS, an understanding of when to use each, and the ability to move from mapped regions to candidate genes through fine mapping, recombinant selection and integration of sequence, annotation, expression and biological evidence.
• Experience with candidate-gene identification and prioritization, and practical experience with functional gene validation preferably including data mining, and AI-supported methods.
• Experience analysing and interpreting large‑scale biological or multi‑omics datasets is an advantage.
• Good project‑organization skills, including planning experimental work, documenting methods and results, and coordinating with colleagues.
• Clear communication, strong collaboration skills and professional proficiency in English.
• Willingness to travel within the Netherlands and internationally.

I would like to tell you more

Would you like to know more about this vacancy? Please contact Ilja Roobeek, Research Manager, telephone number 0226- 396 162.

You can find more information about our company on the sites working at Bejo and bejo.nl. On the Research & Breeding you will find more information about the work area under which this position falls and you can already see your new colleagues.

Are you enthusiastic and do you want to be considered for this vacancy?

Bejo is committed to an inclusive workplace, values diversity and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

* We do not appreciate acquisition as a result of this vacancy

Working at Research & Breeding

il you want to be part of a team at the forefront of research and innovation? In the Research & Breeding work area, we work together to advance scientific research and develop new technologies for vegetable seed production.

Want to know more?

Second interview with (team) manager and PC&O Advisor

Assessment (optional)

Offer

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