Breeding Data Scientist (m/f/d) (80-100%)
Location: Zürich, Switzerland
Employment: Contract for 3 years with the option to convert to permanent employment based on excellent performance.
About Us
The Swiss Plant Breeding Center (SPBC) is seeking an experienced and versatile Breeding Data Scientist. In this role, you will serve as a vital link between complex data and the tangible realities of breeding plots across Swiss private and public breeding organizations. Your primary objective is to leverage genomics and phenotypic data to accelerate the development of resilient and high-quality crop varieties that are well-adapted to Switzerland. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of the SPBC and positively impact the Swiss agriculture and food system.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct data analytics and biostatistics across multiple crops to drive breeding program success and enhance the rate of genetic gain.
- Build and maintain automated bioinformatics pipelines for processing breeding data, including high-throughput sequencing (GBS, WGS, RNA-Seq) and digital phenotypic data (images).
- Execute Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and QTL mapping to identify genetic markers associated with critical traits such as disease resistance, product quality, and environmental adaptation.
- Design cost-efficient molecular markers and validation experiments in collaboration with breeders for routine marker-assisted selection in breeding pipelines.
- Develop and implement genomic and phenomic selection workflows, integrating artificial intelligence and predictive models.
- Harmonize diverse datasets, including digital phenotypic field data, environmental variables, pedigree, and genotypic data to optimize breeding outcomes.
- Architect and maintain the SPBC scientific computing infrastructure and IT environment.
- Advise Swiss plant breeders on the application of new technologies and methods, while fostering a collaborative atmosphere within the Swiss breeding sector. Provide training to team members.
- Translate complex statistical outputs into clear visualizations and actionable recommendations for breeding teams to support selection decisions.
Who You Are
- You are hands-on and thrive in a dynamic work environment, adept at solving diverse and practical scientific challenges across many plant species within a complex network of breeding organizations.
- You are an effective communicator, capable of engaging with a broad range of stakeholders.
- You are motivated by the practical application of new technologies and methods in breeding programs, understanding that publishing papers is not the primary focus of this role.
- You enjoy developing efficient processes and workflows that can be routinely applied.
- You are solution-oriented and generously share your expertise with others.
- You appreciate working in a small team where mutual support is paramount.
Technical Requirements
- Education: PhD (or MSc with over 6 years of experience) in Plant Breeding, Quantitative Genetics, Bioinformatics, Data Science, or a related field.
- Programming: Advanced proficiency in R and/or Python.
- Genomics: Experience in generating sequencing libraries, genome assembly, alignment, variant calling, and imputation, as well as database establishment.
- Digital Phenotyping: Knowledge of processing image and/or sensor data.
- Quantitative Genetics: Strong understanding of quantitative genetics methodologies and the breeder’s equation.
- Statistics: Proficiency in linear mixed models, experimental design, machine learning, and AI applications.
- Cloud/HPC: Experience with high-performance computing (HPC), including Linux environments and cloud computing (AWS/GCP).
- Server Maintenance: Experience in setting up and maintaining server infrastructure.
- Languages: Proficiency in English and German or French.
Join Us
The Swiss Plant Breeding Center (SPBC) is a newly established, independent competence and innovation center for plant breeding in Switzerland, supported by the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG). Our mission is to strengthen Swiss plant breeding and enhance breeding efficiency. We are focused on networking stakeholders in breeding and research and transferring research findings into practical breeding applications. Our expertise spans molecular genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, data analytics, trial design, breeding program design, and digital phenotyping, all aimed at supporting breeding organizations in the routine application of research results.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.