DH Lab Technician Breeding

Location

Astene

Working hours

Full-time

Contract Type

Permanent

Working area

R&D

Join the team

Agriculture plays a fundamental role in fulfilling many of humanity’s basic needs: food, feed, energy. To support growers and those who take care of our environment, BASF develops innovative solutions for farming, pest-, disease- and weed control so that we can effectively contribute to improving people’s lives and business’ demands. Come join us on our journey to create solutions for sustainable agriculture at the Innovation Center of BASF Belgium Coordination Center CommV in Astene, Belgium.

The European Oilseed Rape Breeding department develops spring and winter oilseed rape hybrids for the EMEA business region.

As a Technician in Breeding and with a love for plants, your position involves the executing of a broad range of Doubled Haploid Laboratory experiments in a reproducible and reliable way as input for the Oilseeds Breeding hybrid program.

Responsibilities

You will be hands-on involved in the execution and organization of all greenhouse and lab Doubled Haploid activities of the European oilseed Breeding program such as: sowing, selection and maintenance of donor plants and managing an optimal microspore culture.
This also includes ploidy determination by flowcytometer and Doubled Haploid seed production including planting, transplanting, sampling, harvesting and seed cleaning.
As a Doubled Haploid Lab Technician, you will ensure optimal growth conditions for the crop and monitor plant pests and diseases proactively.
You will execute and supervise routine lab activities such as preparation of buffers and media, sterilization and embryo culture.
Guiding contractors is one of your responsibilities.
You will contribute to recording and compiling data according to company standards & for summarizing and outlining the general DH production to your supervisor.
You will contribute to planning the DH activities across the general DH production reckoning the oilseed field season to meet tight deadlines.
You will contribute to workflow improvements to ensure an efficient DH production and you will troubleshoot when needed.
Furthermore, we expect self-leadership: you will independently plan your work and propose appropriate development measures to your supervisor. And you will closely work together with other departments to ensure day to day operations.
You will act as a recognized role model with respect to ensuring compliance with all existing company standards (QMS, Health, Safety, BioSafety, Stewardship,…) within your area of responsibility.

Qualifications

Plants are your passion.
You hold a Bachelor or Master degree in Life Sciences or equivalent through relevant successful experience.
Basic knowledge and interest in plants are essential. Preferable basic knowledge about Plant Breeding, Doubled Haploids and Molecular Breeding.
You work accurately and you are flexible to meet the tight field season deadlines.
Additionally, you are self-organized and have very good planning and reporting skills.
You are a team player who is eager to learn.
You provide technical guidance and coach new co-workers.
You exhibit a positive, enthusiastic, and pragmatic attitude, with a strong “getting-things-done” mentality.
You can communicate effectively, both orally and writing, in Dutch and English.
You have relevant computer skills (Microsoft Office) and a strong digital mindset, with an affinity for relevant software and databases. Additionally, you are confident in integrating new digital tools into your daily workflow.
You have a phytolicense or you are willing to obtain your phytolicense.

Benefits

A permanent contract within an attractive working environment in a professional and motivated team.
A role with challenging assignments and responsibilities.
An attractive base salary in relation to your diploma and competencies, an annual bonus and extra-legal benefits.

Come join us in bringing the lab to the field

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division

Everything we do, we do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why we are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. We invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we do everything in our power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. In 2023, our division generated sales of €10.1 billion.

For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.

Application process

1. Application

You found the job you like on our website. Time to hit that ‘apply’-button and let us know who you are through the application form.

2. First encounter

We are intrigued by your application and call you immediately. At this point you can expect questions like: What motivates you? And what are your skills?

3. Interview

The call went great! So here you are, ready for your interview with HR and a hiring manager. We want to know more of your story and of course, you can ask about our story as well.

4. Contract

Welcome to our team. When can you start? So we can everything ready for your first day. You know, computer, paperwork, cake, balloons …

5. Onboarding

We welcome you with open arms and get you up and running. Including our eye-opening bootscamp, from the lab to the field.