Pre-Breeder

Are you the connecting link between breeders and researchers? As a Pre-Breeder at Enza Zaden, you will help accelerate the development and implementation of strategic traits in our breeding programs. With two positions available in Spain and one in the Netherlands, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to international breeding innovation from different strategic locations. If you enjoy combining scientific insights with practical breeding solutions, this position allows you to make meaningful impact at the heart of our global breeding pipelines.

This is why you want to join us as Pre-Breeder at Enza Zaden

In this role, you will contribute directly to the innovation and strengthening of global breeding pipelines. You work in an environment where scientific curiosity meets entrepreneurial spirit, giving you the chance to shape practical solutions for future vegetable varieties. You will collaborate closely with breeders and researchers worldwide, ensuring that your work has both strategic and operational influence.

What makes this role unique

• You drive the development of high‑quality pre‑breeding material used across international breeding teams.

• You operate in a dynamic environment that combines lab data, greenhouse trials, and field experience.

• You play a key part in validating and implementing new tools that support complex trait development.

Make a difference as Pre-Breeder

As a Pre-Breeder, you support global breeding teams by developing molecular tools and approaches that speed up the introgression of complex traits. You organize, design and execute prebreeding projects, ensuring alignment with breeders worldwide. Your work connects early‑stage research with practical breeding decisions, making you a crucial link in the innovation pipeline.

Pre‑breeding leadership

• Lead and participate in pre-breeding projects

• Coordinate international activities  and align with global objectives.

Innovation & pipeline development

• Validate and implement innovative methodologies for complex traits.

• Establish, optimize and run introgression pipelines, from concept to routine use.

• Support breeders in the practical introgression of strategic traits.

You will split your time between deskwork, greenhouse and field activities. Molecular data generated by lab colleagues, combined with phenotypic trial data, forms the basis of your analyses. You translate these insights into reliable tools, recommendations and decisions for future breeding cycles. You will work closely with colleagues in the Molecular Breeding department and report to the Molecular Breeding Manager.

What you bring as a future colleague

You are passionate about genetics and enjoy translating scientific information into practical applications. With strong organizational skills, you manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and quality. You enjoy working on validation and implementation phases and are energized by translating results into reliable, practical breeding solutions. Your proactive mindset and analytical attitude enable you to connect easily with breeders, researchers and other specialists.

Your profile

• MSc degree (e.g., Plant Science, Breeding or Biotechnology) with preferably 3–5 years relevant experience.

• Highly organized, process‑minded and detail‑oriented, with a drive for continuous improvement.

• Strong planning skills and the ability to work with time pressure and deadlines.

• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams (breeders, researchers, pathologists, business).

• Strategic thinker with the ability to connect insights across research, breeding and market needs.

• Knowledge of genetics, plant breeding, biotechnology, molecular biology and markers; experience in breeding companies is preferred.

• Willingness to travel internationally (2–3 times per year).

• For Spain-based positions: fluency in English and Spanish is required.

• For the Netherlands-based position: fluency in English is required; Dutch is considered a plus.

Your interpersonal skills, hands‑on attitude and enthusiasm for collaboration will help you thrive in the Enza Zaden culture, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand.

Enza Zaden as your employer

With more than 3,000 passionate team members across the world, we're on a daily mission to develop the finest vegetable varieties. Our goal? To deliver seeds with that special something: better taste, better yields, and better resistance. On our mission to feed the world, we challenge ourselves to gain deeper insights and find the next breakthrough. We grow and innovate together, and everyone’s contribution are valued. Throughout our 85 years, our family values, passion, independence and or focus on innovation have truly set us apart. Over 480 million people are eating our vegetables every day something we are very proud of! Our passion isn't just a trademark; it's our driving force, propelling our rapid growth. If you're ready to explore your potential and thrive in a supportive environment, we welcome you to develop your talents with us. The combination of entrepreneurship, initiative and a healthy dose of determination has made Enza Zaden great and brought us where we are today. Enza Zaden is and always will be in motion: in the past, present and future.

What can you expect from us?

As a family-owned company, we support you to thrive in all areas of life, so that you can be successful inside and outside of work. We offer:

• Flexible work arrangements;

• Access to a variety of wellbeing programs and healthy food options;

• 25 paid vacation days (employees have the option to buy extra vacation days equivalent to two times their weekly working hours);

• 1 paid vitality day for all, plus extra days as your age increases.

We aspire to be a good employer that cares for our employees, both during and after their careers at Enza Zaden. Our most important benefits include:

• Active partnership in your professional development (personal growth);

• Tailor made leadership development programs and global e-learning platform;

• Employer sponsored retirement benefits.

Join us for a career that grows with you! Are you curious to know more about Enza Zaden click on this link to our website.

Get in touch

Apply now using the application button.

Do you have any questions about our application process?

Please feel free to reach out to:

Annemarie Weening, Senior Corporate Recruiter ([email protected]).

Good to know

• This position cannot be filled on an interim basis;

• Enza Zaden is an equal opportunity employer and don’t discriminate based on background, identity or personal characteristics.

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