Pre-Breeding Technician

As part of our growth strategy and our plans, we are looking for a Pre-Breeding Technician (m/f/d) for KWS Vegetables. This is a full-time position with an indefinite contract, based at our station in Almería, Spain. The start date is October 1, 2026.

Development: Within the pepper Pre-Breeding area, execute, manage, monitor, and support activities related to germplasm characterization, trait introgression, and the development of pre-breeding populations, in order to ensure a continuous flow of new genetic diversity and traits into the breeding pipeline.

Personnel management: Plan, organize, execute, follow up on, and distribute daily work associated with the pre-breeding program in the most effective and efficient manner, within the framework of the available budget and resources.

Pre-breeding trials: Pre-breeding trials comprise germplasm evaluations, donor characterization, population advancement, trait validation trials, and seed increase activities. Organize and execute sowing, transplanting, crossing, self-pollination, and harvesting of pre-breeding trials under the close direction of supervisors, in order to allow for effective selections, crossing activities, and population development. In close collaboration with the farm team, the pre-breeding technician is responsible for distributing and/or executing cultural activities and/or crop management practices for the healthy development of the crop and the maximization of pre-breeding results. Responsible for printing labels for seeds, seedlings, and plants.

Genetic resources and seed management: Responsible for the production, maintenance, storage, and/or disposal of seeds selected by their supervisors. Compliance with QC protocols, preparation of seeds for QC analysis, and compliance with the highest hygiene standards indicated by their supervisors and/or by other teams responsible for hygiene matters.

Tissue sampling: The pre-breeding technician is responsible for executing tissue collection for DNA extractions and disease testing.

Data collection: Pre-breeding technicians must be able to collect phenotypic information following the instructions of their supervisors, as well as upload and download this information into data systems. Phenotypic information may include agronomic, morphological, quality, and disease resistance evaluations of germplasm and pre-breeding populations.

Communication: Close communication with: the farm team, especially with the farm technician to manage daily work; temporary worker contractors; temporary workers; the pathology team in cases of identification of possible diseases; the screening specialist, to recognize the areas where the trials are located and help align phenotypic data collection between the pre-breeding program and the person responsible for screening; other (pre)breeding technicians of the program, in order to ensure best practices in the different locations where the breeding program is developed. Effective communication with local and international teams; practical knowledge of English will be valued.

HRM: Responsible for on-the-job training and technical instructions to temporary staff. This training includes providing technical advice to comply with agreed standards (QHSE, SOPs), time planning, and budgets.