About KWS:
KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies. Nearly 5,000 employees in more than 70 countries generated 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. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants’ resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested more than €300 million last fiscal year in research and development.
We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Team Lead (m/f/d) in Entomology to join our Phytopathology Department at KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA at our headquarters in Einbeck, Germany. The successful candidate will lead a dynamic entomology team to support plant breeding programs in developing crop varieties that are resistant to pest insects, insect vectors or the plant pathogens they transmit. The focus is on team management and the implementation of field and laboratory tests and insect rearing. This is a full-time, permanent position.
Team Lead Entomology (m/f/d)
Identify, assess, develop and implement state-of-the-art technical approaches and solutions to support product or technology development
Manage operational processes within the Entomology, including the appropriate planning of resources, budgets, and establishment and maintenance of efficient processes
Drive, lead and implement change and continuous improvement
Lead and inspire a team of research scientists and technicians
Organize, maintain and expand interdisciplinary work across interfaces with other departments
Collaborate with plant breeders to incorporate insect /pathogen resistance traits into crop development programs and enhance seed technology programs
Design and carry out field and laboratory experiments to assess insect/pathogen resistance in various crops
Support seed technology activities
Plan and manage projects ensuring the timely delivery of milestones
Analyze data and interpret results to provide insights for breeding programs
PhD or equivalent qualification in entomology, agricultural, or related field
Industry experience or comparable post-doctoral experience
Proven leadership experience and organization skills
Problem solving and decisions making
Demonstrated expertise in insect ecology in the laboratory and field
Competence in designing, implementing and managing projects in diverse national and international teams
Analytical skills and proficiency in statistical analysis and report writing
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally and a valid German driver's license
Fluency in English and German
As a family-run company we are guided by the values of closeness, reliability, foresight and independence; this culture is lived in practice creating thus an open and friendly working atmosphere.
True to our motto Make yourself grow, we support employees’ professional and personal development.
We offer excellent work equipment (e.g. the newest laboratory equipment), a fully-fledged, subsidized canteen and sufficient free parking spaces at the KWS location.
We offer capital formation benefits, Christmas and holiday bonuses.