Junior Researcher Post Harvest & Consumer Research

Taken en verantwoordelijkheden

Are you a results-driven professional with data-savvy competencies, a growth mindset, and a strong commercial instinct—eager to seize market opportunities and drive business success?

 This is why you want to join us as Junior Researcher PH&CR at Enza Zaden

• Develop knowledge and skills to be able to contribute to conceiving and initiating new and existing research projects together with line manager, as well as participate in international multidisciplinary projects. 

• Collaborate with breeding teams to provide feedback on product performance and support selection decisions.

• Work with marketing and sales to translate research findings into product value propositions and customer-facing messages.

Make a difference as Junior Researcher PH&CR

• Conducting post-harvest quality assessments on vegetable crops, including shelf life, texture, taste, colour, and other relevant parameters.

• Executing sensory evaluations and coordinate taste panels to collect data for product profiling and consumer insights.

• Maintaining accurate records and documentation of tests, methodologies, and results to ensure traceability and compliance with internal standards.

• Contributing to protocol development for post-harvest testing and sensory analysis in collaboration with senior researchers.

• Analysing data and prepare reports to communicate and present research findings to internal stakeholders clearly and concisely.

 
Post Harvest & Consumer Research team
You’ll be part of the Post Harvest & Consumer Research team, within the Marketing department of Enza Zaden. This international team of researchers supports the development and validation of innovative vegetable traits by conducting technical lab and sensory research. Together with our global team of researcher, you ensure that the vegetables growing out of Enza Zaden’s seeds are of the best quality in terms of taste, shelf life and nutritional and health value. You will collaborate with internal departments, universities, and research houses, reporting to your line manager – manager of the Post Harvest and Consumer Research team.

 What you bring as a future colleague

• A university-level degree, preferably in biotechnology.

• Familiarity with sensory research is a plus.

• A strong commercial instinct, with a keen eye for market opportunities and business growth.

• Data-savvy competencies and analytical thinking, enabling you to make informed, evidence-based decisions.

• A growth mindset—eager to learn, adapt, and continuously improve.

• Leadership capabilities to inspire innovation and foster meaningful connections.

• Excellent social and collaborative skills to thrive in multidisciplinary, multicultural teams.

• A hands-on, proactive attitude and a passion for making a tangible impact.

• Strong communication skills in English; proficiency in additional languages is an asset.

 Your analytic, proactive approach will support the fast-paced, collaborative environment at Enza Zaden. You connect easily with others and are decisive, ensuring progress even under challenging circumstances.

Enza Zaden as your employer

With more than 3000 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 (no later than June 26, 2025). You will receive an automatic confirmation of your application within minutes, and we will respond to your application within 10 working days. 

Do you have any questions about our application process? Please feel free to reach out to:

Annemarie Weening

Senior Corporate Recruiter

a.weening@enzazaden.nl

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.