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- Tasks: Lead a hybrid barley breeding programme across the UK and France, focusing on variety development.
- Company: Join KWS UK, a global leader in barley breeding with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, competitive pension, private healthcare, and fun social events.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a strategic breeding program while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: PhD in plant breeding, extensive hybrid breeding experience, and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career growth and a supportive team culture.
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, as well as 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 the 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 in Royston employer: KWS Group
Contact Detail:
KWS Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Breeder Hybrid Barley in Royston
✨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. Show us you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to our mission. Tailor your answers to reflect our values and goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your experience in hybrid breeding and how it aligns with our needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the KWS team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Breeder Hybrid Barley in Royston
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 your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing teams, be sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've developed junior staff or led successful projects. We’re keen to see how you can inspire others at KWS!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply directly through our career site! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our innovative team at KWS. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at KWS Group
✨Know Your Breeding Basics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of hybrid breeding methodologies and genomic tools. Be ready to discuss your experience in detail, especially how it relates to the specific challenges KWS faces in the UK and France.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience in managing breeding teams. Think about how you've developed junior staff and collaborated with other teams, as this role requires strong organisational and people management skills.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in the barley market, particularly in the UK and France. Being able to discuss how you would approach product identification and market introduction will show that you're not just a technical expert but also commercially savvy.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication skills are mandatory, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. If you speak French or German, be prepared to demonstrate this as it could set you apart from other candidates.