Euroseeds (www.euroseeds.eu) is inviting applications for the position of its Manager Plant Breeding Innovation at the Euroseeds General Secretariat team in Brussels, Belgium.

About Euroseeds
Seed of new and improved plant varieties is the indispensable input for all farming and food production. It is estimated that more than 65% of all productivity gains in agricultural production today is due to the improved genetics of new varieties; and that this share is likely to rise even further in view of limitations on other factors such as crop protection or fertilizer use. As a consequence, seed is a highly regulated product, not only, but also at European level, covered by numerous EU Regulations and Directives, from access to plant genetic resources and product authorisation to quality standards, intellectual property rights or packaging rules. Euroseeds (www.euroseeds.eu) is the representative organisation of the wider European seed sector. It represents companies active in plant research and breeding, variety development, seed production and seed marketing in the wider European region. Via direct company membership and through its national association members, Euroseeds represents around 98% of all seed produced and marketed to farmers, vegetable growers and gardeners in Europe.

General Secretariat
The Euroseeds General Secretariat is responsible for the preparation and implementation of the association’s strategic priorities and positions, its day-to-day management, as well as the representation of the European seed sector towards EU institutions and any relevant third parties. It currently consists of 14 FTE of various nationalities, academic and professional backgrounds. 
It is based in Brussels, Belgium.

Job description

The Manager Plant Breeding Innovation works closely with the Euroseeds membership and, as part of the Euroseeds Coordination Group Research & Innovation, under the guidance of the Secretary General and the Advisor PBI & Research, to whom he/she will be reporting.

The Manager Plant Breeding Innovation is responsible for leading and coordinating the association’s work and positions on innovative plant breeding methods and (bio-)technology/ies. This specifically includes responsibility for the further implementation of the EU’s expected new Regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) and all related legislative initiatives (Delegated and Implementing Acts etc.). Awareness of, or experience with, the EU’s decision-making processes is therefore considered as asset. Other areas include the EU Biotech Strategy and Biotech Act, EU-funded research projects in the area of plant biotechnology, and international alignment of relevant policies and regulations.

The position requires a University-level education -preferably a PhD- in plant breeding & biotechnology, ideally with expertise and/or experience of use of latest plant breeding methods such as gene-editing and awareness and of related regulatory issues. Knowledge of the European plant breeding sector, relevant stakeholders and interested parties and their respective views is highly desirable.

The Manager will support the development and contribute to the implementation of the strategic objectives and positions as defined by the responsible Euroseeds bodies within the association’s structure, promoting an enabling regulatory and political environment in this area. This shall be done in close collaboration with the Euroseeds Membership and here specifically the dedicated Committee Plant Breeding Innovation and its related Working Groups, for which the Manager is responsible as regards their day-to-day management including meeting preparation, minuting and follow-up. In close collaboration with the Manager Research Policy and Project Coordination, the Manager will also take responsibility for the Euroseeds tasks in potential EU funded research projects related to plant breeding innovation.

The Manager represents Euroseeds and will be the EU plant breeding sector’s spokesperson towards relevant EU institutions, international bodies and other stakeholders in respective technical and other discussions.

Further tasks may be assigned in line with the association’s needs and the individual expertise and experience of the Manager.

Specific tasks

• Spokesperson of the EU plant breeding sector on modern plant breeding methods and innovative technologies, specifically towards relevant EU Commission services, EU and national authorities, MEPs, and any other interested parties 
• Development of respective advocacy and communication efforts on EU and Member State level, specifically in collaboration with national associations, and with relevant stakeholder groups
• Representation of Euroseeds in relevant international discussions and fora
• Management of Euroseeds Committee Plant Breeding Innovation and related Working Groups
• Contribute to Euroseeds’ engagement in EU-funded research projects related to plant breeding innovations
• Attend external meetings and conferences, representing the association and advocating its positions

Qualifications

• Very strong plant breeding & plant biotechnology background (University-level education; preferably PhD)
• Practical plant breeding research experience in a research institute or company
• Knowledge of and practical experience with the use of the latest breeding technologies (gene editing/ CRISPR)
• Familiarity with international and EU regulatory frameworks governing the use of (agricultural) biotechnologies
• Knowledge of principal EU decision making processes and advocacy experience and skills an asset
• Some knowledge of (EU) plant variety registration and seed marketing rules welcome Track record of communicating with authority to decision makers and experts in the field
• as well as ability to explain technical issues to interested laymen
• Very strong written and oral EN (working language)
• Computer literate

Personality and skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, service oriented, collegial, communicative
• Tactful in dealing with people, also under pressure
• Discretion, good judgment ability, flexibility and versatility
• Organizational skills, leadership and management abilities
• Team player with pro-active initiative and ability to work independently
• Curiosity and affinity to new technologies and tools

Application

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV, together with a motivation letter and an indication of salary expectations, to: secretariat@euroseeds.eu with the reference “Manager Plant Breeding Innovation”.
Please note: standard LinkedIn applications without motivation letter will not be considered in the selection process.
Confidentiality of all applications received is assured.

Process
Application deadline: 28.02.2026
First selection round (online via TEAMS): between 04.03. and 13.03.2026
Second selection round (Brussels) with oral & written interviews: between 16.03. and 19.03.2026
Starting date: earliest possible date