Wissenschaftler (m/w/d) in Quantitativer Genetik und Biostatistik

Advanced Scientist in Quantitative Genetics and Biostatistics (m/f/d) for Trait Discovery

The Breeding Technology Team for Maize & Oilseed Crops is seeking a passionate and forward‑thinking scientist to join us on a full‑time, permanent basis. In this key role, you will help drive innovation in trait discovery and genetic analysis for some of the world’s most important crops. Working closely with breeders, biostatisticians, trait genetics specialists, marker development teams, and molecular genomics experts, you will develop novel analytical concepts and prototype advanced statistical approaches that support data‑driven breeding decisions. Based at the KWS headquarters in Einbeck (Lower Saxony, Germany), you will contribute to cutting‑edge work in genome analytics, trait mapping, and quantitative genetics, supporting breeding programs in maize, sunflower, and oilseed rape and helping accelerate gene discovery and innovation across KWS.

Responsibilities

• Develop concepts and prototype new statistical approaches for trait mapping in collaboration with cross‑functional teams
• Run research on qualitative and quantitative genetics in close collaboration with the breeding and research teams of maize, oilseed rape, and sunflower
• Provide consulting and support in quantitative genetic applications to sunflower breeding
• Drive innovation and research in the field of gene discovery via data mining and genome wide association studies (GWAS) for maize, sunflower, and oilseed rape
• Implement sequence‑based genotyping data and haplotyping approaches in GWAS workstreams
• Intensive exchange with scientists from multiple KWS departments
• Train and support maize and oilseed crop breeding and research teams in applying statistical approaches
• Regular participation and contribution to working group meetings, workshops, and breeders’ meetings

Profile

• Ph.D. in plant or animal breeding, plant genetics, bioinformatics or related plant science fields
• Broad knowledge in the fields of qualitative and quantitative genetics and a high interest in testing and developing new ideas and approaches
• Ability to manage large data analysis with good knowledge and skills in R and/or other programming languages such as Python, Julia, etc.
• Experience with mapping approaches, use of sequence data for downstream statistical analysis, haplotype‑based mapping, AI algorithms, and simulations is a plus
• Excellent team player, analytical and critical thinking, open mindedness, and strong communication skills
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Willingness to travel

Benefits and Well‑Being at KWS

• Contribute significantly to the success of the breeding department and the development of excellent varieties
• Work in a family‑owned company that values team spirit, closeness, trust, independence, and foresight
• Encouragement of individual professional and personal development under the motto “Make yourself grow”
• Capital formation benefits, company pension plan, Christmas and holiday bonuses, childcare allowance, and company bike

Advance your career and grow with KWS! We look forward to receiving your digital application via our job portal.

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies, with nearly 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries and net sales of around €1.68 billion in the fiscal year 2023/2024. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for almost 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape, and sunflower, continuously improving yield and resilience through cutting‑edge plant breeding methods. For more information: . Follow us on LinkedIn at Our data privacy policy for candidates is available at