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Sélectionneur Colza / Canola breeding scientist (H/F) - Job Opportunity at Corteva Agriscience

Oucques, France
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 3, 2025
On-site
EUR 55,000 - 75,000 per year, reflecting the specialized nature of plant breeding expertise, the PhD requirement, and France's competitive agricultural research market. The position with a global leader like Corteva likely offers compensation at the higher end of this range, particularly given the role's strategic importance and the requirement for pan-European travel.

Benefits

Opportunity to work for the world's only major agriscience company completely dedicated to agriculture, providing unparalleled industry focus and resources
Access to cutting-edge breeding technologies and modern selection tools, positioning professionals at the forefront of agricultural innovation
Collaboration with a global network of over 20,000 employees across 130 countries, offering extensive knowledge sharing and career development opportunities
Professional development through work across 140 R&D facilities worldwide, providing exposure to diverse agricultural challenges and solutions
Inclusive company culture that encourages curiosity, innovative thinking, and bold action, fostering personal and professional growth

Key Responsibilities

Lead implementation of technology-driven European winter canola breeding program using modern selection tools, directly impacting food security and agricultural sustainability across European markets
Define strategic short and long-term breeding objectives and varietal portfolio in collaboration with marketing teams, ensuring alignment between scientific innovation and market demands
Provide critical technical support and product intelligence to marketing and local product managers, bridging the gap between scientific development and commercial success
Drive continuous innovation and improvement of regional breeding strategies in partnership with European program leadership, positioning the company as a market leader in canola genetics
Execute comprehensive breeding scope covering the entire inbred and hybrid development process, from initial line development through final product characterization
Conduct strategic phenotyping and product assessment across testing networks while making critical advancement decisions that determine product pipeline success
Manage global breeding program components and lead specialized research projects, contributing to the company's competitive advantage in agricultural biotechnology
Collaborate with Europe and Global Breeding Scientist Network across multiple crops, facilitating knowledge transfer and accelerating innovation cycles

Requirements

Education

Ph.D. in plant breeding/genetics or master's degree with 3-5 years' experience in breeding or related fields desired

Experience

3-5 years' experience in breeding or related fields desired

Required Skills

Excellent personal interaction skills and team player Excellent verbal and written communication skills Self-motivated, innovative and able to initiate projects Strong analytical abilities, creative thinking, and problem resolution skills Good time management and organizational skills Travelling throughout Europe at key crop stages Advanced knowledge in plant breeding/quantitative genetics Committed to safety A valid driving license Fluent in English, French recommended; German beneficial

Certifications

Valid driving license
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Industry Trends

The agricultural biotechnology sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by global food security concerns and climate change challenges, with canola breeding becoming increasingly critical as demand for sustainable oil crops rises. Modern breeding programs are rapidly adopting genomic selection, CRISPR gene editing, and AI-driven phenotyping technologies to accelerate variety development and improve crop resilience. European agriculture is particularly focused on developing climate-resilient varieties that can maintain yields under changing environmental conditions while meeting strict EU sustainability regulations. The consolidation of major agriscience companies has created opportunities for specialized breeding scientists to work with cutting-edge technologies and global resources. Companies like Corteva are investing heavily in regional breeding programs to develop locally adapted varieties that meet specific market needs. The integration of digital agriculture tools with traditional breeding methods is revolutionizing how breeding decisions are made, creating demand for scientists who can bridge traditional plant breeding with modern data analytics. Regulatory changes in Europe regarding genetic modification and sustainability reporting are driving increased investment in conventional breeding programs that can deliver improved traits without regulatory complications. The European Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy are creating new opportunities for breeding programs that focus on reduced pesticide use, improved nitrogen efficiency, and enhanced nutritional content.

Role Significance

Typically manages or closely collaborates with 3-8 technical staff including research associates, field technicians, and data analysts, while also coordinating with marketing teams, global breeding networks, and external research partners. The role likely involves matrix management across multiple projects and geographical regions.
This is a mid-to-senior level scientific position with significant strategic responsibility, evidenced by the authority to define breeding program objectives, make advancement decisions, and lead research projects. The role combines hands-on technical work with strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration, indicating substantial autonomy and decision-making authority within the organization.

Key Projects

Development of climate-resilient winter canola varieties adapted to European growing conditions and market requirements Implementation of genomic selection programs to accelerate breeding cycles and improve trait selection accuracy Multi-location field testing networks to evaluate variety performance across diverse European environments Collaboration projects with global breeding teams to incorporate novel genetic resources and breeding technologies Product characterization studies to support regulatory approval and market introduction of new varieties

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in quantitative genetics and modern breeding methodologies, combined with the ability to translate complex genetic concepts into practical breeding strategies that deliver commercial value Strong cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with diverse international teams, marketing professionals, and external partners across different countries and languages Strategic thinking capabilities to balance short-term commercial needs with long-term breeding objectives, ensuring sustainable program success while meeting immediate market demands Adaptability and innovation mindset to incorporate emerging technologies and respond to changing market conditions, regulatory requirements, and climate challenges Project management excellence to coordinate complex multi-year breeding programs involving multiple locations, stakeholders, and technical disciplines while maintaining scientific rigor and commercial focus

Market Demand

High demand driven by global food security needs, climate change adaptation requirements, and the specialized nature of canola breeding expertise. The combination of PhD-level education requirements and practical breeding experience creates a limited talent pool, while increasing agricultural challenges drive strong employer demand for these specialized skills.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced knowledge in plant breeding and quantitative genetics forms the foundation for all breeding decisions and program strategy, enabling the scientist to design efficient breeding schemes, interpret complex genetic data, and make informed selections that drive program success. This expertise is essential for maintaining competitive advantage in an increasingly sophisticated breeding landscape where genomic tools and statistical methods are rapidly evolving. Excellent communication skills in multiple languages (English, French, German) are essential for success in this pan-European role, enabling effective collaboration with diverse teams, clear presentation of technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and successful knowledge transfer across cultural boundaries. The ability to communicate complex genetic concepts to marketing teams and commercial partners directly impacts product development success. Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities are crucial for interpreting complex breeding data, troubleshooting field trial issues, and developing innovative solutions to breeding challenges. The modern breeding environment generates vast amounts of genetic, phenotypic, and environmental data that requires sophisticated analytical skills to extract meaningful insights for breeding decisions.

Beneficial Skills

Digital agriculture and data science skills are increasingly valuable as breeding programs integrate genomic selection, precision phenotyping, and AI-driven decision tools. Scientists with capabilities in programming, statistical modeling, and data visualization can significantly accelerate breeding progress and improve selection accuracy. Business acumen and market understanding enhance the scientist's ability to align breeding objectives with commercial needs, prioritize traits based on market value, and contribute to product positioning strategies. This knowledge helps bridge the gap between scientific capabilities and commercial success. Project management and leadership skills become increasingly important as scientists advance in their careers and take on larger program responsibilities. The ability to coordinate complex multi-year projects, manage diverse teams, and deliver results within budget and timeline constraints is essential for senior breeding roles.

Unique Aspects

This role offers the rare opportunity to work exclusively in agriculture within the world's only major pure-play agriscience company, providing unparalleled focus and resources dedicated to agricultural innovation without competing priorities from other industries
The position combines hands-on breeding work with strategic program management, offering scientists the opportunity to see their work progress from initial crosses through commercial product launch and market impact
Access to Corteva's global breeding network enables collaboration with leading scientists across multiple crops and continents, facilitating knowledge transfer and career development opportunities that are unique in the industry
The European focus provides the opportunity to work within complex regulatory environments and develop expertise in navigating EU-specific requirements, skills that are increasingly valuable in the global agriculture market
The role offers direct impact on food security and agricultural sustainability, as canola breeding contributes to renewable energy sources, healthy food oils, and sustainable farming practices across Europe

Career Growth

Career progression to management roles typically occurs within 5-7 years for high-performing scientists, while advancement to director-level positions generally requires 8-12 years of experience. The global nature of Corteva provides accelerated opportunities for international assignments and cross-functional experience that can expedite career advancement.

Potential Next Roles

Breeding Program Manager or Director positions overseeing multiple crops or larger geographical regions, with responsibility for strategic program direction and resource allocation Global Breeding Lead roles coordinating breeding activities across multiple continents and managing international scientific teams R&D Leadership positions such as Head of Crop Development or Director of Plant Breeding, with broader responsibility for technology strategy and scientific innovation Commercial Development roles such as Product Development Manager or Technical Marketing Manager, leveraging breeding expertise to drive product commercialization Senior Scientist or Principal Scientist positions in agricultural biotechnology companies, focusing on advanced breeding technologies and novel trait development

Company Overview

Corteva Agriscience

Corteva Agriscience stands as the world's premier independent agricultural company, formed through the spin-off from DowDuPont in 2019, combining the agricultural divisions of three major chemical companies. The company operates as a pure-play agriculture entity with comprehensive capabilities spanning seed development, crop protection, and digital agriculture solutions. With operations in over 140 countries and a workforce exceeding 20,000 employees, Corteva maintains one of the industry's most extensive R&D networks with significant investment in breeding programs and agricultural innovation.

Corteva holds a leading position in global agriculture markets, ranking among the top three companies in both seeds and crop protection globally. The company maintains particularly strong market positions in corn, soybean, and canola genetics, with significant market share in North America and growing presence in European and emerging markets. Their integrated approach combining breeding, crop protection, and digital solutions provides competitive advantages in serving farmer needs comprehensively.
The European operations represent a strategic growth market for Corteva, with significant investments in local breeding programs and regulatory capabilities to serve EU-specific requirements. The Blois location in France positions the canola breeding program centrally within key European growing regions, facilitating efficient field testing and collaboration with local agricultural communities. This regional focus reflects Corteva's commitment to developing locally adapted varieties that meet specific European market needs and regulatory requirements.
Corteva promotes a science-driven culture that emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and sustainable agriculture practices. The company's focus on being 'the most trusted partner in agriculture' translates to a work environment that values scientific excellence, ethical conduct, and long-term thinking. The inclusive culture encourages diverse perspectives and cross-functional collaboration, supporting professional development through global assignments and continuous learning opportunities.
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