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Scientist (m/f/d) for Digital Phenotyping - Job Opportunity at KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

Einbeck, Germany
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 9, 2025
On-site
€55,000 - €75,000 annually based on German agricultural research sector standards for mid-level scientist positions, with potential for higher compensation given KWS Group's global market leadership position and the specialized nature of digital phenotyping expertise.

Benefits

Premium ergonomic workstation setup with multiple monitors and air conditioning ensuring optimal productivity
Fully subsidized on-site canteen providing significant cost savings on daily meals
Complimentary parking facilities eliminating transportation costs and commute stress
Capital-forming benefits program supporting long-term financial security
Annual Christmas and vacation bonuses providing additional compensation beyond base salary
Comprehensive professional development opportunities under the "Make yourself grow!" initiative
Access to cutting-edge laboratory equipment and technology for research excellence

Key Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate international digital phenotyping initiatives across multiple global breeding stations, directly impacting crop development timelines and breeding program efficiency
Pioneer next-generation digital phenotyping methodologies through strategic collaboration with elite breeders and technology specialists, positioning the organization at the forefront of agricultural innovation
Drive technology implementation and adoption for breeding applications, translating research discoveries into practical solutions that enhance crop performance and yield
Orchestrate cross-functional collaboration with international teams of breeding specialists and researchers, fostering knowledge transfer and accelerating global breeding program outcomes

Requirements

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, Plant Breeding, Agricultural Engineering, Geodesy, or related fields

Experience

Some experience or interest in sensor technologies for phenotypic trait capture of plants and environmental characterization preferred

Required Skills

Sensor technologies for phenotypic trait capture of plants and environmental characterization Planning, conducting, and analyzing field trials Excellent computer skills (MS Office) Statistical software (e.g., R) GIS systems Database management (e.g., SQL) Scientific software (e.g., Python) Excellent teamwork skills Strong organizational abilities Initiative and self-direction Excellent communication skills Fluent English German language skills (advantageous) Willingness to travel worldwide (up to 25%)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Digital agriculture and precision farming technologies are experiencing unprecedented growth, with the global digital agriculture market projected to reach $22.5 billion by 2025, driven by increasing demand for sustainable crop production and food security solutions. Digital phenotyping specifically is becoming a cornerstone technology enabling breeders to accelerate variety development cycles from decades to years. Artificial intelligence and machine learning integration in plant breeding is revolutionizing traditional breeding methodologies, with companies investing heavily in sensor technologies, drone-based monitoring, and automated data collection systems to enhance breeding efficiency and precision. Climate change adaptation is driving urgent demand for resilient crop varieties, positioning digital phenotyping as a critical tool for rapidly identifying and developing climate-adaptive traits in major food crops like maize and oilseeds. The convergence of genomics, phenomics, and environmental data through digital platforms is creating new opportunities for predictive breeding, making roles in digital phenotyping increasingly strategic for agricultural companies' competitive positioning.

Role Significance

Likely managing or coordinating with teams of 8-15 professionals across multiple international locations, including field technicians, data analysts, and breeding specialists, while reporting to senior research leadership.
This is a strategically important mid-level scientific position with significant autonomy and international scope, involving coordination of global breeding programs and technology development initiatives that directly impact the company's competitive advantage in crop development.

Key Projects

Development and deployment of automated phenotyping platforms for large-scale field trials across multiple continents Implementation of AI-driven trait detection systems for accelerated breeding program outcomes Integration of multi-sensor data collection systems for comprehensive crop performance monitoring Establishment of standardized digital phenotyping protocols for global breeding station consistency

Success Factors

Ability to bridge traditional agricultural science with advanced technology implementation, requiring both deep plant breeding knowledge and technical innovation capabilities Strong international collaboration and communication skills to effectively coordinate across diverse cultural and technical backgrounds in global breeding programs Analytical mindset capable of translating complex phenotypic data into actionable breeding decisions that accelerate variety development timelines Adaptability to rapidly evolving technology landscape while maintaining focus on practical agricultural applications and commercial breeding outcomes

Market Demand

High demand with limited qualified talent pool, as digital phenotyping combines specialized agricultural knowledge with advanced technical skills, creating a competitive market for professionals who can bridge traditional plant breeding with cutting-edge technology applications.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Statistical software proficiency (R, Python) is absolutely essential as modern digital phenotyping generates massive datasets requiring sophisticated analysis techniques, and the ability to extract meaningful breeding insights from complex data directly determines the value and impact of phenotyping investments Field trial experience is crucial because digital phenotyping must be grounded in practical agricultural realities, and understanding the complexities of field conditions, environmental variability, and crop management practices is essential for developing relevant and reliable phenotyping protocols Communication and collaboration skills are vital given the international scope of the role and the need to translate technical concepts between diverse stakeholders including breeders, technology specialists, and field personnel across different cultures and technical backgrounds

Beneficial Skills

GIS and spatial analysis capabilities are increasingly valuable as precision agriculture integration expands, enabling more sophisticated environmental characterization and spatial modeling of crop performance patterns Machine learning and AI knowledge will become increasingly important as digital phenotyping evolves toward predictive modeling and automated trait recognition, positioning professionals for leadership in next-generation breeding technologies Project management certification or experience would be highly beneficial given the complex, multi-location coordination requirements and the need to manage technology implementation timelines across international breeding programs

Unique Aspects

This role offers the rare opportunity to shape the future of global food production through direct application of cutting-edge digital technologies to plant breeding, with immediate impact on crop varieties that will feed millions of people worldwide
The position provides exceptional international exposure through coordination of breeding programs across multiple continents, offering unique insights into diverse agricultural systems and growing conditions
Working at KWS headquarters provides access to one of the world's most comprehensive plant breeding research facilities and direct collaboration with leading experts in agricultural innovation
The role combines the stability and resources of an established global leader with the innovation and growth potential of emerging digital agriculture technologies

Career Growth

Typical progression to senior scientist roles within 3-5 years, with potential advancement to leadership positions within 5-8 years given the high-growth nature of digital agriculture and increasing strategic importance of phenotyping technologies.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Research Scientist or Principal Scientist in Digital Agriculture Digital Phenotyping Program Director or Research Team Leader Head of Innovation or Technology Development in Agricultural Companies Chief Technology Officer or R&D Director positions in AgTech startups or established seed companies

Company Overview

KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA

KWS Group stands as one of the world's leading seed companies and a major player in global agriculture, with over 150 years of plant breeding expertise and operations spanning more than 70 countries. The company specializes in corn, sugar beet, cereals, and vegetables, combining traditional breeding excellence with cutting-edge biotechnology and digital innovation.

KWS maintains a strong market position as the fourth-largest seed company globally, with particular dominance in European markets and growing presence in North America and emerging markets, generating annual revenues exceeding €1.3 billion.
The Einbeck headquarters location positions this role at the heart of KWS's global R&D operations, providing direct access to senior leadership, core research facilities, and the company's most advanced breeding programs while serving as a coordination hub for international activities.
As a family-owned company with strong German engineering traditions, KWS emphasizes long-term thinking, technical excellence, and collaborative innovation, creating an environment that values both scientific rigor and practical application of research outcomes.
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