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.
The Swiss Plant Breeding Center (SPBC) is seeking an experienced and versatile Breeding Data Scientist. In this role, you will not merely analyze data; you will serve as the crucial link between complex datasets and the practical realities of breeding plots at various private and public breeding organizations in Switzerland. Your primary objective will be to leverage genomics and phenotype data to accelerate the development of resilient, high-quality crop varieties tailored to the Swiss agricultural context. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the SPBC's mission and play a pivotal role in enhancing the Swiss agriculture and food system.
Key Responsibilities
- Data analytics and biostatistics across multiple crops to drive breeding program success and enhance genetic gain.
- Pipeline Development: Build and maintain automated bioinformatics pipelines for processing breeding data, including high-throughput sequencing (GBS, WGS, RNA-Seq) and digital phenotype (images) data.
- GWAS & QTL Mapping: Conduct Genome-Wide Association Studies and QTL mapping to identify genetic markers associated with vital traits such as disease resistance, product quality, and environmental adaptation.
- Molecular Marker Development: Design cost-efficient markers and validation experiments with breeders for routine marker-assisted selection in breeding pipelines.
- Predictive Models and AI Applications: Develop and implement genomic and phenomic selection workflows, integrating AI technologies.
- Data Integration: Harmonize diverse datasets, including (digital) phenotypic field data, environmental variables, pedigree, and genotypic data to improve breeding outcomes.
- Scientific Computing Environment: Architect and maintain the SPBC scientific computing infrastructure and IT environment.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Training: Advise Swiss plant breeders on utilizing new technologies and methods in their breeding programs and foster a collaborative environment within the Swiss breeding sector, including training team members.
- Decision Support: Translate complex statistical outputs into clear visualizations and actionable recommendations for breeding teams to guide selection decisions.
Who You Are
- You thrive in a hands-on, dynamic work environment that tackles diverse and practical scientific challenges across various plant species.
- You are an effective communicator, able to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
- You are motivated by applying new technologies and methods to practical breeding programs, understanding that publishing papers is not the primary focus of this role.
- You enjoy developing efficient processes and workflows that can be implemented regularly.
- You are solution-oriented and value the sharing of expertise within your team.
- You appreciate working in a close-knit environment where team members support one another.
Technical Requirements
- Education: PhD (or MSc with >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 and variant calling, and database establishment.
- Digital Phenotyping: Knowledge of processing image and/or sensor data.
- Quantitative Genetics: Strong understanding of quantitative genetics methodology and the breeder’s equation.
- Statistics: Proficiency in linear mixed models, experimental design, machine learning, and AI applications.
- Cloud/HPC: Familiarity 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.
The Swiss Plant Breeding Center
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). Its goal is to enhance Swiss plant breeding and increase breeding efficiency. Key tasks include networking stakeholders in breeding and research and transferring research results into practical breeding programs. The SPBC provides technical support, expertise, and actively engages in planning and implementing innovations. Its services are tailored to customer needs, encompass all crop types and cultivation methods, and benefit from partnerships, as well as customer and third-party funding acquisition.
Our areas of expertise include molecular genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, data analytics, trial design, breeding program design, and digital phenotyping. In all these domains, we focus on assisting breeding organizations in translating research findings into practical applications.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.