Research Intern (m/f/d) in Breeding & Phytopathology
Required skills
Job description
KWS Group published this listing. We've added our own working-student context below — what this role means for your weekly hours, take-home pay and student visa as a student in Seligenstadt, Germany.
Description provided by KWS Group
Start date: June 1, 2026
Duration: Up to 6 months
The Sugar beet Breeding Department and the Breeding Station Seligenstadt of KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA are looking for a motivated Research Intern (m/f/d) who would like to gain hands-on experience in applied plant breeding, digital phenotyping, phytopathology, and field trialing.
In this internship, you will work closely with experts at the Seligenstadt breeding station and contribute to developing Sugar beet varieties with improved resistance to insect‑transmitted diseases. You will gain valuable insights into field work, pre‑breeding and plant cultivation, agronomic trials, and disease monitoring.
What You Can Expect
- Gain in-depth insights into commercial plant breeding practices within an international breeding organization.
- Participate in a wide range of hands-on technical tasks throughout the season.
- Take responsibility for your own small project in the field of breeding, phytopathology or agronomy, depending on the topic and timing.
- Work closely with the Seligenstadt team and collaborate with sugar beet breeders and phytopathologists based in the headquarters in Einbeck.
- Travel is required as part of project activities.
- Regular exchange with your supervisor to support your personal and professional development.
- Build a professional network within KWS.
- Work in a team atmosphere is characterized by respect and collaboration.
- Interest and motivation to perform actual field work.
- Field of study such as agricultural sciences, plant breeding, phytopathology, seed sciences, data sciences, biology, or a related field.
- You share our corporate values: team spirit, proximity, trust, independence, and vision.
- You demonstrate good to very good academic performance.
- Good English language skills in writing and speaking. Knowledge of German is an advantage.
- A valid driver’s license (class “B”).
Please submit your complete application, including:
- motivation letter
- CV
- transcripts of records
- any other relevant certificates
You can find additional internship opportunities in our Job Portal . For general questions about internships or thesis collaborations, please visit our FAQ page .
Working student essentials
What this Research internship in Seligenstadt means for you — pay rules, social contributions, and what international students should check before applying.
Weekly hours
Internships have no 20-hour cap, but a voluntary internship longer than three months generally has to pay at least the German minimum wage. Mandatory internships in your study programme are exempt.
Working student rulesSocial contributions
Mandatory internships are largely exempt from social contributions. Voluntary internships are treated like regular employment once they run long enough, so contributions usually apply.
Check your insuranceInternational students
Non-EU students can work 140 full or 280 half days per year (raised from 120/240 in March 2024). A working student contract usually fits within this — confirm the exact limits printed on your residence permit.
Studying in Germany
