Call for postdoctoral candidates for a Marie Curie fellowship

Are you a talented scientist, about to finish your PhD or within eight years after finishing your PhD and eager to make your mark in the innovative world of plant research? Here’s an opportunity for you to grab. KeyGene, a leader in cutting-edge crop innovations, invites you to jointly apply for an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship. This is your chance to accelerate your career and be part of groundbreaking research that shapes the future of agriculture.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship program (MSCA-PF) aims to support the career development and training of excellent researchers through international mobility.
Researchers with a strong scientific background and a promising research project are invited to reach out to KeyGene. Selected candidates will collaborate closely with the KeyGene team to prepare and submit a high-quality application to the MSCA-PF program.

Why KeyGene?

We don’t just believe in advancing crop innovations; we live and breathe it. As a Marie Curie Fellow at KeyGene, you will be part of an energetic and inclusive team, driven by a passion for scientific discovery and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

Our global network spans academic and business sectors, empowering you to make real-world impact.

Fields of Action

• AI for crop innovation
• Apomixis
• Digital phenotyping
• Gene editing
• Lead gene discovery for disease resistance
• Pan-genomics
• Protein-protein interaction research
• Single-cell genomics technologies
• Systems biology
• Tissue delivery and regeneration

Your profile

We are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria:

• PhD in relevant fields: plant sciences, functional genomics, molecular & applied genetics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, systems biology, etc.
• Proven scientific expertise: demonstrated by high-impact publications and/or patents.
• Innovative vision: strong ideas for R&D in molecular breeding, trait development, technology development, data science, and artificial intelligence.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: ambitious, customer-oriented, and keen on translating R&D into groundbreaking applications.
• Communication skills: strong networking and collaborative abilities.

Who can apply?

• PhD Degree: A doctoral degree and a maximum of 8 years full-time experience as a postdoctoral researcher.
• Mobility: Must not have worked or resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the call deadline.
• MSCA-PF Eligibility: Align with Horizon Europe’s criteria.

What KeyGene Offers

We offer support to the selected candidates in preparing and submitting an MSCA-PF application. When the application is granted, you will be offered:

• Temporary employment contract
• Insights into business-oriented innovative research: dive into pioneering projects that push the boundaries of science and plant breeding.
• Career development: achieve your personal career goals with robust support and mentorship.

At KeyGene, your research journey is just the beginning of a transformative career in science and innovation.

Key Dates and Application Process

• First Response Deadline: Monday, May 19, 9:00 CET.
  For the application, please upload the following two documents (see below):
  • A cover letter, incl. your motivation, career and learning goal(s) and CV
  • A max. two-page research proposal

• Pitch Your Proposal: Selected candidates will be invited to present their research proposals at KeyGene or online by mid-June.
• Individual Mentorship: Finalists will be paired with a KeyGene mentor to draft and refine their MSCA-PF application.
• EU Application Deadline: September 10, 2025

About the MSCA Post-doctoral Fellowship

The MSCA-PF aims to enhance the creative and innovative potential of PhD holders through advanced training and international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility. For more details, visit the European Union website.

About KeyGene

With its headquarters in Wageningen, the Netherlands, KeyGene is at the forefront of crop innovation, tackling the toughest R&D challenges. Our team of over 120 professionals from over 15 countries around the world collaborates with partners in academia and industry to enhance breeding for sustainability, crop yield, and quality in vegetables and other crops.

How to use the form below

If you are interested in this opportunity, please upload

• via the CV tab: your cover letter, incl. your motivation, career and learning goal(s) and CV
• via the Application letter tab: your maximum two-page research proposal

For more information about the opportunity or application procedure, please contact the HR department at careers@keygene.com.

We are very much looking forward to your application!