We’re hiring a Senior Research Technician, Breeding Operations!

About World Coffee Research

World Coffee Research (WCR) is a 501(c)5 non-profit agricultural research organization formed by the global coffee industry to drive collaborative innovation to ensure the future of coffee. WCR invests in coffee agricultural research to improve coffee productivity, coffee quality, climate resilience, and farmer livelihoods to support origin diversity (the continued availability of high-quality coffee from many producing countries). WCR’s annual operating budget of $6.5 million is made possible by coffee industry membership contributions complemented by public sector support. Our globally distributed team is creating a more sustainable future for the coffee sector by developing and delivering new, climate-resilient coffee varieties to farmers’ fields in producing countries worldwide.

Why work at World Coffee Research?

We are ensuring the future of coffee. Simply put, if you love coffee, and you want to be a part of a global team working to grow, protect, and enhance supplies of quality coffee while improving the livelihoods of the families who produce it—you’ve come to the right place! We’re looking for a collaborative, nimble and curious team player who likes to solve problems that matter, embraces accountability, and is ready to adopt a spirit of kaizen. If this sounds like you, please keep reading to learn more about the position.

Join our research team

We are looking for a Senior Research Technician to support our breeding operations located at the Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE) in Turrialba, Costa Rica. This role will help drive the innovation behind our Innovea Global Coffee Breeding Network, which is accelerating timelines for coffee breeding in collaboration with scientists in 11 countries.

Job Title: Senior Research Technician, Breeding Operations

Reports to: Senior Research Scientist, Plant Breeding and Genomics

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Job Purpose: The Research Technician, Breeding Operations, is a full-time role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day breeding operations of World Coffee Research (WCR) at the CATIE Breeding Factory. This position also supports the operational coordination of WCR’s global breeding programs, which include arabica and robusta breeding programs and trials. The technician will work closely with the research and development team and with external partners to ensure that all breeding activities align with the established annual work plans and budgets, ultimately aiming to achieve the desired outputs and outcomes in coffee breeding.

Key Accountabilities

Crop Management and Technical Operations at the CATIE Breeding Factory (60%)

• Lead day-to-day operations and be responsible for all agronomic aspects of WCR’s research material, including nursery, field, and screenhouse experiments at the CATIE Breeding Factory.
• Provide a direct link between WCR’s scientific team and CATIE staff for effective coordination and collaborative decision-making.
• Oversee field labour and implementation of weed control, pest and disease management, irrigation, fertilization, and pruning to maintain crop health and crop management according to research protocols.
• Ensure that the agronomic management required for experimental plots is executed consistently and on schedule.
• Provide hands-on participation in pollination, planting, sampling, evaluation, selection, harvest, and post-harvest operations.
• Collect, record, and organize detailed and accurate data related to coffee plants, including growth rates, disease resistance, and yield performance, using scientifically prescribed methods/protocols.
• Host visitors and demonstrate projects at the CATIE Breeding Factory.

Operational Support for Research Projects (40%)

• Provide operational support (which may include technical and/or administrative duties) to coffee research and breeding projects, such as Innovea Global Coffee Breeding Network and variety trials. This includes deliverables under sponsored projects.
• Work closely with research scientists, sharing insights and actively participating in coffee breeding research projects.
• Coordinate shipments of materials internationally, including relevant documentation in accordance with regulatory authorities' guidelines.
• Regular, clear communication to enable smooth collaboration and maintain positive relationships with both internal and external collaborators.
• Support planning and facilitation of team meetings.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Crop Science, Plant Science, or a closely related field.

• Alternatively, a Bachelor of Science in a relevant field, combined with a minimum of 5 years of direct experience in a crop research or plant breeding role.

Experience

• Desirable experience in coffee production, coffee value chains, or coffee agricultural research.

• Experience in plant breeding, agricultural research, or other scientific research.

Demonstrated hands-on experience in managing agricultural field trials

Knowledge

• Ability to work in Spanish and English is necessary; fluency in both is required.
• The ability to write reports in English and Spanish is required.
• Understanding of scientific concepts and data management.

Skills

• Excellent computer skills, especially in PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
• Strong organizational skills with an eye for detail, ability to plan, prioritize, implement day-to-day operations, and record them in a timely manner in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive, analytical thinker and problem solver, who shows initiative and takes ownership of their work.
• Good interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment, both independently and in a team setting.
• Demonstrates a high degree of accuracy and reliability when providing/checking information.
• Continuous learning mindset.

Abilities

• Must be self-motivated, organized, and able to take initiative.
• Ability to work well independently.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with different groups of people, such as farmers, business representatives, government workers, and scientists.
• Must be flexible and willing to travel within LATAM and to other Costa Rica partner sites; must have a valid passport to travel in the region.
• Transparent and frequent communication with team members as part of a continuous improvement process.
• Adaptability to meet the shifting needs of different projects and teams.
• Interest in the vision and work of World Coffee Research
• Commitment to core values: be accountable, be collaborative, embrace Kaizen, solve the problems that matter, be nimble, agile, and curious.

Reporting and Methods of Accountability

This position reports to WCR’s Senior Research Scientist and works closely with other teams from CATIE. The Senior Research Scientist is responsible for monitoring progress and performance and may ask for reporting as necessary.

Additional Considerations

This position is located in Turrialba, Costa Rica, and requires regular travel to the CATIE’s Breeding Factory. Occasional travel to other WCR project sites within LatAm and globally may be required.

How to apply

Please email a copy of your resume and cover letter to our HR Director, Siaska Vieria de Castro (siaska@worldcoffeeresearch.org) with "Senior Research Technician, Breeding Operations" in the subject line.