R&D Trainee Producibility of Vegetable Seeds (September 2025 - Ma

Taken en verantwoordelijkheden

Are you eager to kickstart your career with broad and international R&D experience in breeding and vegetable seed production? Enza Zaden is offering unique opportunities for upcoming scientists in the field of plant sciences, life sciences, biology, or related disciplines to join our R&D Trainee program.

This is why you want to join us as an R&D Trainee Producibility at Enza Zaden
•    Gain hands-on experience in advanced and innovative breeding and research methods.
•    Work with multidisciplinary top-scientists on relevant industry topics in different crops.
•    Immerse yourself in three different Enza Zaden locations (in EU) and departments during the 19-month traineeship.

Make a difference as an R&D Trainee
With Enza Zaden’s trainee program, we invest in new talents that have a keen interest in advanced and innovative breeding and research methods and have the potential to become leaders in their professional field. 

The trainee-track Producibility of Vegetable Seeds will consist of three R&D projects that combine plant science and agronomy in different expertise areas to give breeders the tools to select the most suitable genetics for future seed & food productions:  molecular research to identify genetic leads that are involved in seed producibility such that we ensure availability of high quality and high quantity of Enza seeds for the vegetables we will eat in the future,  and developing innovative research protocols to characterize the differences in the root system of various genotypes, to be used in the future in routine by the breeding teams to select the most resilient genetics capable of coping with abiotic stresses.

During the course of the traineeship you will become an all-round Enza Zaden R&D professional with a solid network in place and the experience that will guide you to your next career moves in our company. In this position, you frequently have feedback sessions with your direct supervisors (a Senior Researcher/Breeder). You will be part of a group of trainees working on other topics, and structured learning and peer contacts will be offered throughout the period.

What you bring as a future colleague
You are passionate about working  in the lab and/or are highly interested in advanced  innovative plant breeding research methods and techniques. You must demonstrate adaptability to seamlessly transition between precise laboratory tasks and hands-on, practical fieldwork. As an R&D Trainee  you are a practical, result-driven, dedicated and open-minded person that likes to work in a dynamic and fast pace environment. You function well in an international team to apply and share knowledge with your colleagues but you also feel comfortable to work independently. 

This job requires perseverance while you have to deal with complex challenges. You are able to adapt and respond to change. Through setting clear goals and based on substantive arguments you are able to persuade and influence others. In order to achieve your goals you own excellent planning and organising skills.

To be (s) elected for this position you need the following requirements: 
•    Recently graduated Master degree in plant sciences, life sciences, biology or comparable;
•    Demonstrable knowledge  of agronomy and agriculture, plant breeding and/or phytopathology and/or molecular biology and/or seed pathology and/or seed physiology and/or cell technology;
•    Demonstrable experimental lab skills;
•    Flexible in working in different countries;
•    Fluent in English, both verbal and written. Dutch is beneficial

You must be a citizen of an EU country or have an EU work permit. You are available for this traineeship from September 1st 2025 until March 31 2027.

If we are happy with each other at the end of the traineeship, we would love to offer you a contract for indefinite duration. Whether we are able to by then will depend on the circumstances at that time.

Enza Zaden as your employer 
With more than 2,800 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: vegetables with 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 is 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;
•    Laptop and mobile phone.

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 April 30, 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

Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.