Research Scientist Phytopathology

Field of Work:Breeding
Location:Murcia
Legal Entity:KWS SEMILLAS IBÉRICA S.L.
Contract Type: Regular
Is Full Time:
Job ID: 16562

As part of our growth strategy and our plans to establishstate-of-the-artResearch Teams for our Vegetable Business Unit we are looking for a hands-onResearch Scientist Phytopathology (m/f/d) based at our KWS station in Murcia Spain.The Research Scientist Phytopathology will be part of the global phytopathology research team and is responsible for the local implementation and execution of cucurbits plant pathology activities.

Areas of expertise include Plant Pathology (including Virology Mycology Bacteriology Entomology and Nematology) with a focus on development implementation and routine application of methodologies related to routine resistance testing diagnostics and disease crop monitoring. The candidate will report to the Head of Phytopathologyof KWS Vegetables. The intended starting date for this position is July 15th 2026.

Your Tasks:

• Facilitate the execution of the short- and long-term strategy for Phytopathology in line with the overall KWS Vegetables strategy
• Participate in strategic crop team discussions to effectively develop and prioritize pathology traits
• Develop and implement protocols for disease testing (routine and research) to support local breeding team
• Facilitate effective support to local breeding team on disease crop monitoring
• Foster an open clear and efficient cross-department communication and collaboration
• Assist and collaborate in the development and strict implementation along with Farm teams of the hygiene protocols in the breeding station
• Assist PD and Sales teams on providing the proper technical support to growers
• Prepare and control in support of the Head of Phytopathology the local Phytopathology research budgets (operations and investments)
• Lead a small local team of Phytopathology Assistants and Technicians including appraisals training development and career planning to foster the appropriate individual and team performance.

Your profile:

• PhD/MSc in a relevant scientific discipline
• 3 years of experience in the field of plant pathology; preferably in an industrial setting
• English and Spanish (fluent)
• Practical and theoretical know-how on disease resistance testing
• Proven experience on service-oriented disease testing
• People oriented leadership style;
• Team player person with excellent organizational and analytical skill
• Multicultural/international orientation ability to work in an international setup
• Willingness to travel internationally 10% of time.

Only resumes and cover letters in English will be considered. We look forward to receiving your application through the KWS Job Portal application system.

About KWS

KWS is one of the worlds leading plant breeding companies. Nearly 5000 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. For more information: Follow us on LinkedIn at

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