Junior Breeding Technician (gn) @ Agritech Venture, Wageningen (NL)

About Aardaia

Aardaia is developing entirely new crops for a resilient, low-input protein future. Our flagship crop, the Aardaker (Lathyrus tuberosus), is a protein-rich tuberous legume currently being domesticated from wild germplasm into a scalable agricultural crop. This is hands-on crop domestication: breeding, greenhouse work, field trials, and real experiments.

Role Summary

We are hiring two Junior Breeding Technicians to support day-to-day operations. One candidate will be focusing on greenhouse breeding and plant maintenance whereas the other candidate will be focusing on phenotyping in both greenhouse and field.

This role sits at the operational core of the breeding program. You will work closely with breeders and researchers to execute controlled crosses, maintain breeding populations, and collect high-quality phenotypic data. This role requires a high level of attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency with labelling, crossing, and measurement.

This role is ideal for someone who wants to learn plant breeding through direct, practical involvement rather than desk-based analysis.

Key Responsibilities

Breeding & Greenhouse Operations

• Assist with controlled crosses (emasculation, pollination, tagging, record-keeping)

• Maintain breeding populations in greenhouse and growth chambers

• Planting, transplanting, labeling, and tracking of germplasm

• Seed, tuber, and pollen handling, storage, and inventory management

• Support speed-breeding and rapid-generation workflows

Plant Care & Experimental Support

• Monitor plant health, development, and stress symptoms

• Assist with irrigation, fertilization, and routine plant care

• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and biosecurity of greenhouse spaces

Phenotyping & Data Collection

• Assist with phenotyping of germplasm in greenhouse and field trials

• Measure and record traits related to growth, development, yield, and morphology

• Take standardized photographs and structured observations following protocols

• Ensure accurate sample labeling and traceability

Field & Trial Support

• Support setup, maintenance, and harvest of field trials

• Assist with planting, thinning, weed control, and harvesting

• Support agronomic experiments (e.g. density trials, management treatments)

Data & Traceability

• Record breeding, phenotyping, and trial data accurately

• Follow defined protocols for data entry and material tracking

• Ensure high standards of labelling accuracy and data quality in the breeding program

Profile We Are Looking For

• Practical, hands-on mindset; enjoys working directly with plants and experiments

• Background or training in plant sciences, agronomy, biology, horticulture, or related fields (BSc, MSc, MBO or similar vocational training)

• Comfortable working in greenhouse and field conditions

• Careful, reliable, and detail-oriented

• Able to follow protocols precisely while adapting to seasonal priorities

• Physically able to perform active work (standing, lifting, outdoor work in varying weather)

• Interest in plant breeding, crop domestication, or sustainable agriculture

• In possession of a EU drivers licence B

• Fluently English speaking as the daily working language is English

• Previous experience with breeding, phenotyping, or field trials is a plus, but not required. Motivation, care, and reliability matter more.

What We Offer

• Direct involvement in the creation of an entirely new crop

• Exposure to the full breeding cycle: crossing, plant care, phenotyping, and field trials

• A small, focused team where careful work has visible impact

• Opportunity to grow into more specialized roles in breeding or agronomy

• Salary in line with experience and Dutch research/startup standards

Contract & Location

• Full-time position, fixed-term with intent to extend

• Based primarily in Wageningen, with field work at trial sites as needed