Research Associate Quantitative Genetics

Oudecampsweg 35C, 2678 NN De Lier, Netherlands

Flowers and plants have a strong emotional value for the people who buy them. Their potential to inspire is endless – They can make our day, brighten up the house, or turn the garden into a paradise. 

Dümmen Orange is a leading breeder and propagator of flowers and plants. Our goal is to inspire people and create a better, more beautiful world. We offer an impressive portfolio of crops and varieties to growers, wholesalers and retailers around the world. 

We are looking for a Research Associate Quantitative Genetics for our Research Department in De Lier, The Netherlands.

Why is this your job?

Our organization grows and flourishes. This results in a fast-changing and, therefore, challenging environment.

As a Research Associate Quantitative Genetics you will expand and strengthen our Trait Genetics group, which is part of the Trait Development department. With your background in statistics and genetics, you will help steering the in-house development of software tools for predictive breeding. Collaboration is an important feature of the job, and you will work closely with scientists within Trait Genetics as well as other expertise groups, such as Phytopathology. You will also work very closely with Breeding teams to optimize their breeding approaches for both simple and complex traits, taking into account phenotypic and genomic data. In addition, you will act as their first point of contact for quantitative genetic support. You are based in our Breeding Technology Center in De Lier and you will report to the Research Manager Trait Development in De Lier.

Your tasks and responsibilities

• Perform scouting activities for novel tools and technologies.

• Apply quantitative genetic models to support breeding programs in a wide range of crops.

• Lead genomic prediction initiatives focusing on optimal selection of parents and pipeline advancement (in partnership with Breeding teams).

• Influence the adoption of genomic prediction methods, contribute towards their integration in the population improvement process and the transformation of respective breeding schemes.

• Responsible for developing and leading strategies for the continuous improvement of training datasets and the increase in prediction accuracy to optimize breeding schemes for target traits in alignment with product profiles and market needs.

• Monitor and audit effectivity of breeding programs (germplasm improvement, genetic variance, product development, trial design, integration of digital phenotyping strategies) and suggest improvements to management.

• Train breeders in how to optimally use our in-house developed quantitative genetic software tools.

• Serve as first point of contact for any quantitative genetic questions.

• Collaborate closely with other research (mainly Quantitative Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Phytopathology) and Breeding teams and manage relationships with stakeholders such as Technology Application and Global Product Management.

Who are you?

• PhD in a relevant field in biology (for example animal or plant breeding, plant science, genetics, bioinformatics or similar).

• Proven track record in experimental design and in the analysis of (field) trial data, quantitative genetics (heritability and breeding value estimation, genomic prediction, random regression) and exploration of genomic datasets. 

• Excellent programming and visualization skills in R are a must and ideally you also show willingness to become acquainted with DevOps.

• Excellent understanding of plant breeding is essential. Hands-on experience in plant breeding programs with genomic prediction would be highly appreciated.

• Enthusiasm and aptitude to work in cross-functional teams. 

• Inquisitive, innovative and critical mind-set and a creative and pro-active attitude.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills (in English) tailored to the target audience.

What do you get in return?

Dümmen Orange has major international ambitions with innovation technology and quality high on the agenda. There is plenty of room for autonomy, personal growth and you are part of an expert team. This allows you to optimally develop as a driven professional in your field. There is a supportive and open working environment where sharing knowledge, collaboration and achieving common goals are very important.

We also offer:

• An attractive salary depending on your knowledge and experience;

• Full-time employment (based on 38 hours);

• 25,5 vacation days on a full-time basis;

• Hybrid working (including allowances for working from home and for the home workplace);

• Working hours are flexible and can be determined in consultation;

• A personal development plan based on continuous learning and our core values of commitment, focus, passion and responsibility;

• An international working environment;

• Collective Labour Agreement for the Greenhouse Horticulture Sector with, among other things, good leave arrangements and a good pension scheme (BPL Pension). We invest in your future by paying 2/3 of the pension premium.

Who are we?

We are a leading international breeder and propagator of flowers and plants. Our breeders enhance characteristics such as colour, fragrance, and shape, as well as less visible traits like disease resistance, higher yield per square meter, and extended vase life. In production locations across Africa, South and Central America we have 330+ hectares of production space at our disposal. Here we set up our mother stock plants and propagate the starting material. Our extensive range of crops and varieties finds its way to growers, wholesalers, and retailers around the world.

With a leading R&D team, a diverse network of our own propagation sites, and over a century of experience in floriculture, we are the trusted source for industry expertise and innovation in floriculture breeding.

The products our industry produces have a strong emotional value for the consumers who buy them. Our purpose is to inspire people and create a better, more beautiful world. Our team of 6,600 dedicated, focused, and passionate professionals works across the globe. Our head office is located in De Lier, the Netherlands.

Your application 

Do you dare to bloom and are you ready to take your career to the next level? Click on the button below to apply for this job. If you have questions about the job, you can contact Camillo Berenos, Research Manager Trait Development via c.berenos@dummenorange.com or +31 174 530 100.  

Acquisition with reference to this advertisement will not be appreciated.