It s our people that make the difference

Transcription

1 It s our people that make the difference

2 2 CONTENTS Welcome page 2 About KeyGene page 3 Personal & Professional page 4 KeyGene offers page 11 KeyGene Learning Academy page 13 Keep in Touch page 14

3 3 WELCOME A growing and aging world population, limited natural resources and the impact of climate change make it important to improve crop yield, stress tolerance and nutritional value, while minimizing environmental impact. KeyGene is the crop innovation company. Finding solutions for the next generation of agricultural challenges is our mission. This mission has inspired us for the past 25 years and will remain our main goal for many years to come. KeyGene assists seed, agro and food industry all over the world by developing and providing cutting edge breeding technologies and trait improvement platforms. In order to keep ahead in technology and innovation we need professionals with a passion. As CEO I am proud to work with the current team, a group of talented experts from different backgrounds and from all over the world. I wish you a pleasant time reading more about our company and invite you to learn some more about a few personal professional stories. Has this booklet inspired you and would you like to know more about working at KeyGene? Please, do not hesitate to contact us! Arjen J. van Tunen, CEO KeyGene

4 4 ABOUT KEYGENE KeyGene is a privately owned, innovative molecular genetics research and development company. We assist seed, agro and food industry all over the world by providing cutting edge breeding technology and trait improvement platforms. Our primary focus lies on improving 6F - Food, Feed, Fiber, Fuel, Flowers and Fun - crops. Our passion is a Green Gene Revolution approach to explore and exploit natural genetic variation in vegetable and other 6F crops. We keep our footprint as small as possible by contributing to the improvement of crops in a natural way.

5 5 PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL KeyGene works with 135 international talents; each with his/her own experience, expertise, background and ambition. Having such a diverse team is one of our key conditions to achieve innovation. We offer you a closer look into the professional lives of a few of our staff members: what are their passions, what are the challenges they are facing and how have their careers developed? Koen Nijbroek, Technician Bioinformatics Already during the job interview I got inspired by KeyGene s informal culture and the diversity and complexity of its projects Next Generation Sequencing, genetic research and the digital world fascinate me a lot, which is why KeyGene s NGS projects are a great challenge for me. I can use my expertise in my work and at the same time broaden my experience in working in a company. Besides that, I learn a lot from my senior colleagues, who listen to my ideas and suggestions. A perfect combination for me. My career as bioinformatician at KeyGene only started recently. It is my first job after my BSc study. Already during the job interview I got inspired by KeyGene s informal culture and the diversity and complexity of its projects. It has not been a deliberate choice for me to work in a plant biotechnology company. It could have been another environment as well. Nevertheless, I discovered that I really enjoy working in KeyGene s green environment, since I can contribute my expertise on many different topics. I hope to be able to develop my career during the next few years in research, for example to become a bioinformatics scientist or to grow into (project) management.

6 6 Michiel de Both, Program Scientist My fascination is to know everything about genes and how the genetic information operates within a cell I have been working at KeyGene for 23 years. During this period I have seen the company growing and experienced worldwide developments in new technologies. I have been able to learn from and work with a great number of international highly esteemed scientists, which has given me the possibility to build up a vast global network. My fascination is to know everything about genes and how the genetic information operates within a cell. I studied biology and plant genetics at Groningen University and did my PhD research in plant cell biology in the UK. After 30 years of experience in plant biotechnology I am still fascinated by research in this field. Moreover, KeyGene has given me the opportunity to grow in my professional career and this process continues to this day. Working in industry has given me unique opportunities to work on truly innovative breakthrough innovations with state-of-the-art equipment, which would hardly have been possible elsewhere. The future at KeyGene continues to hold more challenges for me, in gene editing, epigenetics and cell biology, but also in coaching and working with a young generation of scientists. I am sure I will also be challenged by strategic issues and by new business opportunities.

7 7 Wendeline Ubing, Secretary In the past years I have had the opportunity to develop myself as a secretary and have been inspired to take up new initiatives I enjoy working in a professional, internationally oriented company like KeyGene. What I like most about my job is creating logical structures and controlling a large number of processes and dossiers in order to achieve a well-organized department in a nice atmosphere. I started working as a secretary at KeyGene for the Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs departments in During the first few years I have been able to grow in my job, supporting the legal counsels and Intellectual Property attorneys. I feel I have learned a lot at KeyGene about being a secretary in an innovative research company, especially at the Legal Affairs and IP departments. Besides that, I also have learned some more from my research colleagues about the KeyGene research. In the past years I have had the opportunity to develop myself as a secretary and have been inspired to take up new initiatives. I would like to continue to learn and develop myself professionally. It is my ambition to become a legal counsel, which is why I have started to study Dutch Law at university. KeyGene has helped me to grow in my job and is supporting me to further develop my career. Sandra Göritschnig, Postdoc Vegetable Crops Being a postdoc at KeyGene gives me new opportunities for my career development; I am able to perform parts of my research at a Korean university

8 8 As an experienced molecular biologist with a background in food science, biotechnology, plant genetics and molecular plant pathology, I am interested in applying my knowledge to agricultural issues. My main expertise focuses on developing molecular markers for map based cloning and gene identification. I have gained my post-phd experience mainly at universities. KeyGene, the first research company I work for, is a stimulating environment for me. I like to work in a professional team with a big variety of knowledge, international orientation and great facilities. My professional fascination is also to contribute to KeyGene s applied research in order to achieve healthy food crops. Personally, I am fascinated by science and like to explore nature and the outdoors as much as possible. Being a postdoc at KeyGene gives me new opportunities for my career development; I am able to execute my project in a unique combination, being employed in a Dutch company and performing parts of my research at a Korean university. I regard this experience as a valuable step in my career development. Working in a company also offers me the possibility to experience and learn more about entrepreneurship and management. My ambition is to grow in my professional career in scientific knowledge and in managerial aspects. Marco van Schriek, Scientist/Coordinator Research & Development facilities I think my future here at KeyGene will bring a lot of innovative opportunities and inspiring research challenges My passion is to execute innovative research for customers; to find new unexpected solutions we can surprise our customers with and which they can use to improve their products. I think my future here at KeyGene will bring a lot of innovative opportunities and inspiring research challenges. After my study plant biotechnology I started working at KeyGene as a laboratory technician. Besides learning about plant breeding, phenotyping, greenhouse coordination and other products and projects I have had the opportunity to grow through several professional development steps. During the years I switched from technician to project leader, moving to

9 9 team leader for several research programs, and most recently to scientist digital phenotyping and greenhouse coordinator. For me, working in an innovative company like KeyGene means being involved in many different research projects, achieving the best results for our customers, using the latest technologies and learning a lot about the plant breeding world. All these aspects have inspired me in my work, which I do with much pleasure. Niek Bouman, Researcher Bioinformatics Our team consists of junior and senior experts, which I really enjoy because we can learn from each other and are able to solve breaking issues in bioinformatics In 2013 I completed my PhD Applied Mathematics at Eindhoven University of Technology. My research focused on queue-based random access algorithms for wireless networks and was part of the Microsoft Research PhD Scholarship Programme. Complex mathematical puzzles fascinate me and I like to solve complex research questions. At KeyGene I focus on breeding strategies. DNA research and plant breeding are new fields in which I can apply my knowledge. For me, working at KeyGene is a new phase of my professional development. Our team consists of junior and senior experts, which I really enjoy because we can learn from each other and are able to solve breaking issues in bioinformatics. Kim Jansen, Technician Vegetable Crops At KeyGene I have had the chance to use my coaching experience in a team building project

10 10 My uncle, who worked in a laboratory, as well as my interest in finding solutions to problems, inspired me to choose an education in (lab) technology and biology to become a technician. But I was also curious to know more about themes such as coaching, team building and management, which I why I followed various courses on these subjects. At KeyGene I have the possibility to combine my interests in my daily work. Together with a group of technicians I work on innovative research projects, using the latest facilities. Moreover, at KeyGene I have had the chance to use my coaching experience in a team building project. And being member of the Works Council has given me the possibility to use various competences and to continue learning. In the future I would like to follow two of my passions: helping people (team-based) to get the best out of themselves and playing a part in the latest developments in research/biotech. Anker Sørensen, Vice President New Business In my present position I enjoy having a lot of interaction with customers and being challenged in finding research solutions to their questions My interest in plants and education in biology started in Denmark, where I grew up. To create things and think of ways how this creating can be done in a most optimal way is really my passion. Therefore, it was a logical choice for me to study plants, agriculture and applied biology, and to start a career in plant breeding. In my work I have always been curious to find out how plants and plant breeding techniques could be improved. This fascination has brought me in contact with KeyGene. Already at the time I was still working in a plant breeding company, I collaborated with KeyGene on several innovative research projects. My career at KeyGene started in 2006, where it was possible for me to work in plant research and at the same time learn more about leadership, management and business. I have been able to develop myself continuously; I have followed academic management and business courses, have had

11 11 individual coaching and learned on the job. I started as project leader, became research manager, innovation coordinator, unit manager and at present I am VP New Business. In my present position I enjoy having a lot of interaction with customers and being challenged in finding research solutions to their questions. For this I work closely together with a great KeyGene research team. At the same time I enjoy inspiring and coaching my colleagues in their work and sharing my expertise with them.

12 12 KEYGENE OFFERS What makes KeyGene a great place to work? Of course, we offer good employment conditions, a competitive salary and attractive benefits. But there is more. Making things happen Our employees have a passion. They like their work because they want to use their talents. Besides that, they are motivated to make things happen and to make KeyGene successful. Inspired by enthusiastic colleagues, by direct contact with customers and the personal drive to perform well it is our ambition to meet new challenges and surprise our customers with innovative research. Career development In order to support our employees to pursue their ambitions, we offer a large scale of learning possibilities in, for example, (referred) mentoring, coaching, group training, learning-on-the-job, giving and receiving feedback and working with senior experts. We regard personal professional development as a continuous process; a combination of learning by thinking and learning by doing. If you work at KeyGene, we encourage you to grow in your professional career. We assist you with drawing up a personal development plan together with your supervisor, with whom you will regularly discuss and monitor your career development plans. Networking Our employees are regularly invited to give scientific presentations or to take part in international congresses, workshops, lectures, etc. We also organize professional events ourselves or invite groups of professionals at KeyGene. These occasions offer you possibilities to meet new professionals and to expand your own professional network.

13 13 Teamwork We are proud to have a diverse team of employees; different nationalities, locations in the Netherlands and the US, junior and senior colleagues and various positions in research, business and staff. Having this diversity and being able to interact as a team is regarded as a highly positive aspect for KeyGene s innovation. Depending on your expertise, KeyGene will provide you with special tasks. Nonetheless, you will soon feel part of a team proud of achieving the best results. Listen to what you have to say To reach innovation we need critical input from experts. Our employees are experts: we have a lot of knowledge within our company. We encourage sharing and exchanging this knowledge. Working at KeyGene entails participating in discussions and brainstorm sessions, giving and receiving feedback, and taking an active role in bringing forward new ideas. We listen to what you have to say! Making friends Last but not least, your KeyGene colleagues organize a lot of different social events throughout the year. We celebrate anniversaries, successes, achievements and special moments. Moreover, evening or weekend events organized by colleagues always lead to many enthusiastic participants and offer possibilities to make friends at KeyGene.

14 14 KEYGENE LEARNING ACADEMY Grow your talent is one of the starting points of KeyGene s Learning Academy. KLA offers a wide range of learning and development possibilities, career paths and different job functions. In line with KeyGene s strategic choices and sustainable employability, learning goals have been defined. These learning goals are translated into specific individual learning plans. KLA is all about career development, continuous learning and personal leadership in order to develop your talent. KLA s point of view is that learning is much more than taking courses. At KeyGene young talent can learn from senior experts and vice versa. It also means working with the latest technologies, experiencing challenging projects, contributing to new innovative research topics, using the latest facilities, meeting customers, writing publications, expanding your network and exchanging knowledge with professionals. At KeyGene you get the chance to grow your talent.

15 15 KEEP IN TOUCH Do you want to keep in touch with KeyGene and get the latest information of our developments? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or visit keygene.com and register under Contact > Stay-up-to-Date. We look forward to keeping you informed! Facebook: facebook.com/keygenewageningen LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/keygene Contact details Keygene N.V., Netherlands Agro Business Park PW Wageningen the Netherlands P.O. Box AE Wageningen the NetherlandsT +31 (0) KeyGene Inc., United States 9600 Gudelsky Drive Rockville, MD USA T +1 (0)

16 16 COLOPHON Text & Design: Niclaudi Boshoven Tiny Swemers Wilma Westenberg Photographs: Mariëlle Sengers Wageningen, the Netherlands, February 2015

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