Biofirst Group

Biobest is a global leader in biological crop protection and pollination. For more than 35 years, we have been providing innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture with beneficial insects and other biological control methods. Our mission is to help growers protect their crops in an efficient and environmentally friendly way, making a significant contribution to more sustainable food production.

Within our R&D department, beneficial arthropods play a crucial role in the development of innovative control strategies. Biobest offers a wide range of beneficial insects and mites. These natural enemies are used to control pests such as spider mites, whitefly, thrips and aphids in various crops, including vegetables, soft fruit and floriculture.

Our products are used worldwide in both greenhouse and open field applications, helping to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and support integrated pest management strategies. Our team of scientists and specialists is constantly working on the optimization of these biological control methods and the development of new applications.

To further expand our expertise and impact, we are looking for a Senior Researcher & Team Lead Beneficials - Arthropods.

Your mission

Beneficial insects are at the heart of Biobest's biological control solutions. As Senior Researcher & Team Lead, you combine scientific expertise with inspiring leadership to help develop the next generation of biological control products.

You will lead a team of researchers and research assistants while driving innovative research projects from concept to implementation. Acting as the link between science, production and commercial teams, you ensure that research translates into practical solutions that create value for growers worldwide.

Your responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary team of researchers and research assistants.
• Translate scientific findings into practical applications that support customer needs.
• Define research priorities, translate ideas into structured research plans and monitor project execution.
• Design, coordinate and evaluate scientific experiments and breeding programmes.
• Identify opportunities to improve and optimize mass rearing of beneficial insects.
• Explore and evaluate new beneficial insect species and innovative biological control solutions.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Product Management, Quality, Process Improvement and other R&D teams to ensure successful implementation of research outcomes.
• Build and maintain collaborations with universities, research institutes and external partners.
• Present research results internally and externally through reports, scientific publications and conferences.
• Stay informed about emerging scientific developments and identify opportunities for future innovation.

Your profile

You combine scientific curiosity with natural leadership and enjoy creating an environment where people and ideas can thrive.

You bring:

• A Master's degree in Biology, Bioscience Engineering, Biochemistry or another relevant life sciences discipline. A PhD is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in applied biological research, preferably related to entomology, beneficial insects, arthropods or biological crop protection.
• Experience leading or mentoring research teams.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to translate scientific innovation into practical business applications.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to engage with both scientific and business stakeholders.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to inspire multidisciplinary teams.
• Fluency in English. Additional languages such as Dutch, French or Spanish are an advantage.

What do we offer you?

• The opportunity to contribute directly to more sustainable agriculture worldwide.
• A leadership role with significant scientific impact and strategic visibility.
• We emphasize employee strengths, diversity, and leadership development, and create a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Sustainability and social responsibility are at the heart of our activities, with initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• A clear remuneration strategy ensures a competitive salary with extra benefits.
• We invest in professional growth through tailored training and cutting-edge technology so you can thrive in your role.