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Wissenschaftler (m/w/d) für Digitale Phänotypisierung - Job Opportunity at KWS Group

Einbeck, Germany
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 9, 2025
On-site
EUR 55,000 - 75,000 annually. This estimate reflects the specialized nature of digital phenotyping expertise in Germany's agricultural technology sector, considering the mid-level experience requirements, advanced technical skills needed, and KWS Group's position as a leading agricultural company. The role's international scope and cutting-edge technology focus typically command premium compensation in the German market.

Benefits

Comprehensive professional development programs designed to accelerate career growth in agricultural technology sector
Employer-matched savings plans providing long-term financial security beyond standard compensation
Subsidized high-quality canteen meals reducing daily living costs while promoting workplace community
Premium ergonomic workspace setup with multiple monitors and climate control enhancing productivity and health
Performance-based holiday and Christmas bonuses recognizing contribution to company success
Complimentary parking facilities eliminating daily commuting costs and stress

Key Responsibilities

Lead global coordination of digital phenotyping initiatives across international maize and oilseed breeding programs, directly impacting crop development strategies for multiple markets
Drive innovation in agricultural technology through development of cutting-edge digital phenotyping methodologies in collaboration with top breeding scientists and technology experts
Spearhead implementation of transformative technologies for breeding applications, positioning the company as a leader in agricultural innovation
Foster international collaboration across breeding stations, researchers, and agricultural scientists to accelerate global food security solutions

Requirements

Education

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

Experience

Some experience or strong interest in sensor technologies for plant phenotypic trait capture and environmental characterization preferred

Required Skills

Excellent computer skills with MS Office proficiency Statistical software experience (e.g., R) GIS software competency Database management skills (e.g., SQL) Scientific programming experience (e.g., Python) Field trial planning, execution and analysis capabilities Excellent teamwork abilities Strong organizational skills Initiative and leadership competency Outstanding communication skills Fluent English language skills German language skills advantageous Willingness to travel globally up to 25%
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Digital agriculture is experiencing unprecedented growth with the global digital farming market projected to reach $15.3 billion by 2025, driven by increasing demand for sustainable crop production and precision agriculture technologies. Companies investing in digital phenotyping are positioning themselves at the forefront of agricultural innovation. Climate change adaptation is driving massive investment in plant breeding technologies, with digital phenotyping becoming essential for developing climate-resilient crops. This trend is creating high demand for scientists who can bridge traditional breeding with cutting-edge technology. The integration of AI and machine learning in agricultural research is revolutionizing crop development timelines, reducing breeding cycles from decades to years through advanced phenotyping techniques. Sustainability regulations and consumer demand for environmentally responsible agriculture are pushing companies to invest heavily in precision breeding technologies that optimize resource use while maximizing yield.

Role Significance

The scientist will likely work within a core team of 5-8 digital agriculture specialists while collaborating with a broader network of 20-30 international breeding researchers, field technicians, and technology developers across multiple continents.
This position represents a mid-to-senior level scientific role with significant strategic importance to the organization's innovation pipeline. The scientist will have considerable autonomy in research direction and methodology development, working directly with breeding programs that impact global food production. The role carries substantial responsibility for technology implementation across international operations.

Key Projects

Development and deployment of automated field phenotyping systems using drone technology, ground-based sensors, and satellite imagery for large-scale breeding programs Implementation of machine learning algorithms for trait prediction and selection in maize and oilseed breeding pipelines Coordination of multi-location field trials incorporating digital data collection systems across different climate zones and agricultural systems Integration of environmental monitoring systems with plant phenotyping data to develop climate-adaptive breeding strategies

Success Factors

Technical versatility combining deep agricultural science knowledge with advanced data science and programming skills, enabling effective translation between traditional breeding concepts and modern digital technologies Global collaboration skills essential for coordinating research activities across diverse cultural and agricultural contexts while maintaining scientific rigor and project timelines Innovation mindset capable of identifying emerging technologies and adapting them for practical breeding applications, staying ahead of rapidly evolving agricultural technology landscape Systems thinking ability to understand complex interactions between plant genetics, environmental factors, and technological capabilities in developing comprehensive phenotyping solutions Project management excellence required to coordinate multi-site, multi-year research initiatives involving diverse stakeholders from different scientific and technical backgrounds

Market Demand

Very High. The convergence of agricultural technology, climate change challenges, and food security concerns has created exceptional demand for digital phenotyping specialists. This role represents a critical intersection of traditional agricultural science and emerging technology, making qualified candidates highly sought after across the global agricultural industry.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Statistical programming expertise in R and Python is absolutely essential as digital phenotyping generates massive datasets requiring sophisticated analysis to extract meaningful breeding insights and develop predictive models for trait selection GIS and spatial analysis capabilities are fundamental for understanding field-based phenotyping data, environmental variability, and optimizing breeding trial designs across diverse geographic locations and growing conditions Strong communication and collaboration skills are critical for success in coordinating international research teams, presenting complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, and building partnerships across different scientific disciplines Field trial management experience is indispensable for ensuring data quality and scientific rigor in phenotyping studies, understanding practical constraints of agricultural research, and translating laboratory concepts to field applications

Beneficial Skills

Machine learning and artificial intelligence knowledge would significantly enhance the scientist's ability to develop predictive models and automated analysis systems for phenotyping data interpretation Remote sensing and drone operation skills are increasingly valuable as agricultural research adopts aerial and satellite-based data collection methods for large-scale phenotyping applications Project management certification would support the coordination of complex, multi-site research initiatives and enhance leadership capabilities in international collaborative projects Additional language skills beyond English and German would facilitate collaboration with global breeding programs and expand opportunities for international research partnerships

Unique Aspects

This role offers rare opportunity to work at the intersection of traditional plant breeding and cutting-edge digital technology, contributing directly to global food security challenges while advancing agricultural science
The position provides international exposure across diverse agricultural systems and climates, offering unparalleled experience in global crop development and breeding program management
KWS's significant R&D investment and long-term strategic focus on digital agriculture creates an exceptional platform for professional growth and technological innovation in agricultural science
The role combines field-based agricultural research with advanced data science applications, offering unique career development spanning both traditional and modern agricultural methodologies

Career Growth

Career progression to senior leadership roles typically occurs within 5-7 years for high-performing scientists in this field, accelerated by the rapid growth and strategic importance of digital agriculture technologies.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Research Director for Digital Agriculture leading larger teams and setting strategic research directions for entire breeding programs Head of Agricultural Technology Innovation responsible for identifying and implementing emerging technologies across all crop breeding operations Chief Scientific Officer roles at agricultural technology companies or biotechnology firms focused on crop improvement Independent consulting opportunities serving multiple agricultural companies and research institutions in digital agriculture transformation

Company Overview

KWS Group

KWS Group stands as one of the world's leading seed companies with over 160 years of plant breeding expertise, generating annual revenues exceeding EUR 1.3 billion. The company operates across more than 70 countries and maintains one of the largest private plant breeding research programs globally, investing heavily in innovation and digital agriculture technologies.

KWS holds a dominant position in the global seed market, ranking among the top 5 seed companies worldwide with particular strength in sugar beet, corn, and oilseed markets. The company's commitment to research and development, spending over 15% of revenue on R&D, positions it as an innovation leader in agricultural biotechnology.
The Einbeck location serves as KWS's global headquarters and primary research hub, providing access to extensive research facilities, field testing sites, and collaborative partnerships with leading agricultural research institutions across Europe. This location offers exceptional professional development opportunities within Germany's robust agricultural technology ecosystem.
KWS maintains a family-owned company culture emphasizing long-term thinking, employee development, and scientific excellence. The work environment combines traditional German engineering precision with innovative agricultural science, creating a collaborative atmosphere where researchers have significant autonomy to pursue breakthrough technologies.
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