Seed Generation Research Specialist

Bayer; Wageningen; Hybrid; EUR 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybride werken

Bonussen

25 vakantiedagen

Pensioenregeling

Uitstekende training en ontwikkeling

Divers en inclusief Bedrijf

Job summary

Bayer zoekt een Seed Generation Research Specialist in Wageningen met affiniteit voor plantkunde en zaadproductie. Je combineert nursery-operaties met teeltwerk, ondersteunt crossing en kwaliteitscontroles en levert nauwkeurige data voor besluitvorming.

Je werkt samen met onderzoekers, teeltteams en leveranciers, met focus op veiligheid, traceerbaarheid en operationele uitmuntendheid. Een hybride werkomgeving en opleidingsmogelijkheden worden geboden.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree met minimaal 1 jaar relevante ervaring, of Master’s degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Agriculture, Seed Technology.
• Ervaring in kweek/zaadproductie, crossing en pollination.
• Kennis van zaadproductie en traceerbaarheid.
• Ervaring met digitale tools en databanken voor data collectie en rapportage.
• Engels schriftelijk en mondeling vloeiend; Nederlands een plus.

Responsibilities

• Voer dagelijkse nursery- en zaadvoorraad activiteiten uit, inclusief materiaalvoorbereiding, zaaien, verplanten, oogsten, zaadverwerking.
• Ondersteun crossing blocks, nursery-activiteiten en teeltmaterialen volgens teeltplannen en vereisten.
• Werk samen met kweek, teelt en QA-teams om zaden op de juiste hoeveelheid, kwaliteit en timing te leveren.
• Registreer productiegegevens en bewaak traceerbaarheid in systemen en databases.
• Lever operationele data voor verbeteringen in nurserieworkflows en datapreventie.
• Geef praktische begeleiding aan collega’s en tijdelijke medewerkers.

Skills

Engels (vloeiend)

Nederlands taal vaardigheid

Education

Bachelor- of Master-degree in Plant Breeding/Plant Sciences

Tools

Breeding databases

Job description

Bij Bayer zijn we visionairs, gedreven om 's wereld moeilijkste uitdagingen op te lossen en te streven naar een wereld waarin ‘Health for all, hunger for none’ niet langer een droom is maar een reële ambitie. Wij doen dit met energie, nieuwsgierigheid en sterke toewijding. Hierbij leren wij constant van unieke perspectieven die anderen ons bieden, verbreden we ons denken, vergroten we onze mogelijkheden en herdefiniëren we ‘onmogelijk’. Er zijn zoveel redenen om bij ons te komen werken. Als je een gevarieerde en betekenisvolle carrière ambieert samen met briljante en veelzijdige collega’s, om echt een verschil te maken, dan is er maar één keuze.

Binnen Bayer veranderen we de manier van werken – voor een hogere productiviteit, snellere innovatie en een beter resultaat. We noemen dit Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO). Lees meer over wat DSO zal betekenen voor jou in je nieuwe rol hier bij Bayer: https://www.bayer.com/en/strategy/strategy

Seed Generation Research Specialist

Wageningen, The Netherlands | Full-time

Shape the Future of Vegetable Breeding

At Bayer, we are committed to advancing agriculture through innovation and science. Our Vegetable Seeds team develops innovative solutions that help growers produce high-quality crops more efficiently and sustainably. To support our breeding pipeline, we are looking for a Seed Generation Research Specialist to join our team in Wageningen.

In this hands‑on role, you will combine responsibilities across Nursery Operations and Crop Production, ensuring the successful execution of seed generation activities that support our vegetable breeding programs. Working closely with breeders, researchers, and operational teams, you will help deliver high‑quality seed, accurate data, and reliable execution across the entire production cycle.

Your Tasks and Responsibilities

As a Seed Generation Research Specialist, you will contribute to both nursery operations and crop production activities, supporting the successful delivery of breeding and seed generation objectives.

Nursery Operations & Pipeline Support (50%)

• Execute daily nursery and seed inventory activities, including material preparation, sowing, transplanting, sampling, seed harvest, seed treatment, packaging, and trial package preparation.
• Support crossing blocks, nursery activities, and trial material delivery according to crop-cycle plans, protocols, and stakeholder requirements.
• Collaborate with nursery, breeding, crop production, and testing teams to ensure seed is delivered in the required quantity, quality, location, and timing.
• Maintain accurate nursery, inventory, phenotypic, and pipeline data in designated systems and breeding databases.
• Use operational data to improve nursery workflows, tools, and execution quality through data extraction, curation, and quality checks.
• Support planning activities, KPI tracking, stakeholder communication, and documentation.
• Identify operational risks and process improvement opportunities and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Crop Production & Crop Care (50%)

• Execute greenhouse and open-field crop-cycle activities from crop establishment through pollination, seed maturation, harvest, and post-harvest processing.
• Support controlled crossing and pollination activities while ensuring the protection of genetic identity and material integrity.
• Monitor crop development and elevate deviations that may impact timing, seed quality, yield, or material availability.
• Perform seed production and post-harvest activities including harvesting, extraction, drying, cleaning, treatment, sampling, and packaging.
• Ensure accurate labeling, tracking, and traceability of plants, crosses, fruits, seed lots, and related materials throughout the production cycle.
• Coordinate the movement of materials between nursery, greenhouse, processing, storage, and shipping functions.
• Apply crop health, hygiene, phytosanitary, and quality standards throughout daily operations.
• Record production outputs, observations, and exceptions in designated systems, and support corrective actions where required.
• Provide day‑to‑day technical guidance to co-workers and temporary staff as needed.

Safety, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Comply with all site safety, stewardship, phytosanitary, and quality requirements.
• Complete required safety and operational training programs.
• Work flexibly across tasks, teams, and operational areas to support business priorities.
• Provide on‑call, technical disturbance, or extended‑hours support during peak periods when required.
• Contribute to projects focused on improving nursery, seed inventory, phenotyping, and crop production processes.

Who You Are

You are a hands‑on and detail‑oriented professional with a passion for plant science, seed production, and operational excellence. You enjoy working in a dynamic environment where collaboration, accuracy, and continuous improvement are essential.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree, in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Agriculture, Seed Technology, or a related field.
• Experience in nursery operations, breeding trials, crop production, seed production, seed processing, or a comparable agricultural R&D environment.
• Knowledge of seed production activities such as crossing, pollination, harvesting, seed extraction, post‑harvest processing, inventory management, and material handling.
• Experience using digital tools, enterprise systems, or breeding databases for data collection, traceability, inventory management, and reporting.
• Experience coordinating daily activities or providing technical guidance to colleagues, contractors, or temporary staff is preferred.
• Willingness to obtain required certifications or licenses, such as crop protection or spraying certification, where applicable.
• Fluent written and spoken English; Dutch language skills are an advantage.

What Will Make You Successful

• Hands‑on, accountable, and detail‑oriented with a strong sense of ownership.
• Committed to high standards of safety, quality, data integrity, and traceability.
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Proactive and adaptable with a strong service‑oriented mindset.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a continuous improvement focus.
• Effective communicator and collaborative team player.
• Able to work independently while knowing when to elevate issues and risks.

What We Offer

• A competitive annual salary ranging from €47,000 to €55,000 gross, including holiday allowance, depending on your experience and qualifications.
• An attractive annual bonus opportunity.
• 25 vacation days, with the option to purchase additional leave days.
• A strong pension scheme.
• A hybrid working environment where applicable.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A diverse and inclusive working environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic self to work.
• The opportunity to work with leading experts in vegetable breeding, plant science, and seed production.
• A challenging and impactful role within a global leader in agriculture and life sciences.

Be You. Be Bayer.

At Bayer, we believe that innovation starts with talented people who are passionate about making a difference. If you are excited about plant breeding, seed generation, and contributing to the future of sustainable agriculture, we would love to hear from you.

Wil jij werken op een plek waar je gewoon JEZELF mag zijn?

Jouw unieke persoonlijkheid, achtergrond en talenten dragen bij aan het bouwen van een sterk, divers en inclusief Bayer.

Join us! Be You. Be Bayer.

Locatie: Nederland : Nederland : Wageningen

Divisie: Crop Science

Referentiecode: 894524