Head of Research Group Smart Farming & Digital Technologies

About the job

Ettenhausen, Switzerland (and home office) | 100-100% |

What you can contribute

• Lead a diverse, motivated team and shape the research activities of the Digital Production group in line with Agroscope's strategy
• Unlock the potential of digital technologies and develop value-added solutions for the field, barn, and farm management
• Implement research projects with partners from science, practice, and administration (including at Agroscope's trial stations)
• Maintain scientific partnerships at national and international levels and acquire projects
• Continuously develop the digital methodological expertise (e.g. algorithms for computer vision, IoT, AI) of the research group
• Ensure the quality of research and publish results tailored to target groups, from scientific journals to fact sheets and reports for practice and administration

What makes you unique

• Completed doctorate related to digitalisation and data sciences, preferably in agriculture and food sciences
• Good to very good understanding of digitalisation to classify technical approaches and design decision support tools
• Experience in implementing digital technologies, for example in data-based modelling, computer vision, and Internet of Things (IoT)
• Enthusiasm for developing research projects together with partners from science, practice, and administration
• Leadership experience, strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and convincing communication abilities
• Knowledge of two official languages and English

In a nutshell

This position combines scientific methodological expertise with the goal of making digital technologies effective in agricultural practice, not limited to a single technology but with a view to real added value for farm management. We are looking for a person who unites scientific expertise in digitalisation and data sciences, understanding of agricultural issues, as well as leadership and project experience. You are motivated, creative, enjoy solving problems, and develop viable solutions together with others with openness to new ideas.

What we offer

• Working for Switzerland We are committed to the Swiss success model and work for the benefit of the population.
• Lived diversity Thanks to equal opportunities, we develop our skills and bring in different perspectives.
• Healthy workplace We support and advise our employees in the area of physical and mental health.

All benefits

Good food, healthy environment

Agroscope is the federal competence centre for research in agriculture and food sciences. The researchers carry out their activities at various locations in Switzerland. The headquarters is Bern-Liebefeld (from 2026: Posieux FR). Agroscope is part of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER.

Additional information

The Digital Production research group uses information and communication technologies to solve a wide range of agricultural challenges. It develops new, data-based solutions to improve the efficiency and sustainability of production systems. In addition to understanding agricultural production processes, computer vision, advanced data analyses, and modelling are among our core competencies.

Questions about the position

Nadja El Benni
Head of Research Area Sustainability Assessment and Agricultural Management
+41 58 46 61769

Questions about the application

Raphaël Brandt
Head of Recruitment Team
+41 58 46 37782