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- Tasks: Lead a hybrid barley breeding programme and develop innovative varieties for the UK and France.
- Company: Join KWS UK, a global leader in barley breeding with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, competitive pension, private healthcare, and fun social events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in agriculture while leading a strategic breeding programme.
- Qualifications: PhD in plant breeding, extensive hybrid breeding experience, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career growth and support from KWS HQ.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At KWS UK, we are seeking on a full-time and permanent contract basis an experienced Lead Breeder Hybrid Barley for our hybrid barley breeding program located either at our station in Thriplow near Cambridge, UK, or Mons-en-Pevele near Lille, FR. You will be responsible for entering hybrid barley varieties into the European market, particularly UK and France. This involves continuous strengthening of our hybrid pools, collaboration with seed production and commercial teams, and implementing results from ongoing research activities. This is a high-profile position in one of the world’s leading barley breeding companies. Hybrid barley is a key strategic target for KWS, and this position benefits from a high level of technical support from KWS HQ.
Your Task
- Oversight of a hybrid barley breeding programme across UK and France with clear focus on variety development, with full budget and organization responsibility.
- Manage and develop junior breeders, assistant breeders and technical staff.
- Further develop male and female pools based on KWS’ existing breeding programmes in Europe.
- Work collaboratively with KWS’ barley breeding and research teams to ensure full use of existing resources and knowledge.
- Interact with seed production teams to develop cost-effective procedures.
- Interact with commercial team for product identification, test and market introduction.
Your Profile
- PhD in plant breeding or a related field, with strong expertise in hybrid breeding methodology.
- Extensive experience in hybrid breeding within a commercial setting; cereal experience is an advantage.
- Proficiency in genomic tools and quantitative genetics, as well as field testing and statistical analysis.
- Proven leadership experience in managing breeding teams.
- Excellent communication skills in English is mandatory; French or German is a plus.
- Strong organizational and time management skills, entrepreneurial mindset, and collaborative approach.
- Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel frequently to field sites in the UK and France during the summer season.
Our Offer
- 30 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Highly competitive Pension Scheme with 16% Company contribution and 1.2% minimum employee contribution.
- Life Assurance, of three times annual salary.
- Income Protection Plan at 75% of salary for long-term illness and disability for a period of three years.
- Private Health Care Plan.
- Profit Related Bonus Scheme, targeted at 15% of annual salary.
- Membership of Lifestyles discount scheme.
- Reduced diesel prices from the company’s fuel pump.
- A fun working environment where we take care of each other. We also organize social events such as a Summer Staff BBQ, a Christmas party and charity fundraising events.
Why Join Us
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a strategic breeding program in a global company committed to innovation. If you are passionate about hybrid breeding and ready to make an impact, we would love to meet you.
Next Steps
Apply directly via our career site. If selected, your first interview will be conducted by our recruitment team in Berlin via phone or Microsoft Teams.
Lead Breeder Hybrid Barley employer: KWS Group
Contact Detail:
KWS Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Breeder Hybrid Barley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with KWS employees on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching KWS and their hybrid barley programme. Know your stuff about their projects and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've managed teams or projects in the past. KWS is looking for someone who can lead and inspire others.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the KWS team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Breeder Hybrid Barley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Breeder Hybrid Barley role. Highlight your experience in hybrid breeding and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about hybrid barley and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it engaging and make sure to mention your leadership experience.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your proficiency in genomic tools and quantitative genetics. We’re keen on seeing how you’ve applied these skills in real-world scenarios, so give us some examples!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our career site. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at KWS Group
✨Know Your Breeding Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of hybrid breeding methodologies and the latest genomic tools. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail, especially any successes you've had in developing barley varieties.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing junior breeders and technical staff, prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience. Think about times when you successfully guided a team or improved processes—these stories will resonate well.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in the barley market, particularly in the UK and France. Being able to discuss how your work can impact product identification and market introduction will show that you're not just a breeder but also a strategic thinker.
✨Be Ready for Collaboration
This position requires working closely with various teams, so be prepared to talk about your collaborative experiences. Share specific instances where you worked with commercial or seed production teams to achieve a common goal.
