Group Lead (m/w/d) for Quantitative Genetics and Biostatistics

KWS is one of the world's leading plant breeding companies. Nearly 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.68 billion in the fiscal year 2023/2024. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has independently for almost 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plans breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants' resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €300 million last fiscal year in research and development.

As Group Leader (m/f/d) for Quantitative Genetics and Biostatistics in the Breeding Technology Application Team for sugar beet and cereals, you will play a key role in advancing our breeding strategies. Your main responsibility wants to translate KWS objectives into an effective strategy and structure for the Quantitative Genetics and Biostatistics group. This full-time, permanent position is to be filled by July 1, 2025, in Einbeck (Lower Saxony, Germany).

Your Responsibilities – What You Can Expect: Develop and implement innovative approaches in predictive breeding, selection theory, simulations, and data analysis to support breeding decisions and processes Lead and further develop an interdisciplinary team within a matrix organization – ensuring close alignment with breeding programs while fostering deep expertise Collaborate close with breeders to optimize breeding schemes, conduct pilot projects, and implement tailored solutions Drive the methodological advancement in quantitative genetics, leveraging synergies across different crops Actively contribute to strategic topics within the Breeding Technology Leadership Team

Your Profile – What You Bring: University degree (Master or PhD) in agricultural sciences, data sciences, or a related field with a focus on plant breeding and quantitative genetics Several years of professional experience in a relevant field, ideally in plant breeding, quantitative genetics, or applied data analysis in agricultural science Solid experience in data management, workflow design, and documentation Strong proficiency in R; other command-line languages (e.g., Python, Bash) are a plus Proven experience in leading teams or projects, preferably in a scientific or technological environment Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop team members and make clear decisions Visionary mindset with the ambitious to harness the potential of data-driven breeding and genomic prediction Team-oriented, excellent communication skills German or other languages are an advantage), and a collaborative leadership

Start your future with us! What we offer to help you grow: As a family-run company we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, foresight and independence - this culture is lived in practice creating thus an open and friendly working atmosphere. True to our motto Make yourself grow, we support employees' professional and personal development. We offer excellent work equipment (e.g. ergonomic workstations, several monitors, air conditioning, high-end technical equipment, the newest laboratory equipment), a fully-fledged, subsidized canteen and sufficient free parking spaces at the KWS location. We create the appropriate framework conditions for you: a company pension scheme, capital formation benefits, Christmas and holiday bonuses, special prices for company shares, childcare allowance and a job bike.

Did we spark your interest? Then apply now via our online portal and send us the following required documents (cover letter, CV, relevant certificates). We look forward to getting to know you! JOBV1_EN