# CTO to build the Next Generation of Crops for CEA

**Company:** [HortiScience Innovation Center](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/p98WPLuLMx2HHY5CQviXUr.md)
**Location:** Bleiswijk, Netherlands
**Workplace:** hybrid
**Employment type:** Other

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/279b67ad-c403-4626-ad68-a0f0766da7d6)

## Description

We are building a venture focused on introducing new, high-value crops into controlled environment agriculture. The company combines genetics, breeding, trait selection, and cultivation protocols to develop crops that can be reliably grown in CEA and translated into scalable commercial applications across pharma, cosmetics, and agrifood.

We are looking for a CTO who can turn this vision into a focused technology and product roadmap. As CTO, you will lead the scientific and technological direction of the venture. You will connect genetics, cultivation, product development, data, and commercial strategy into one clear execution model.

Your responsibilities will include defining the technology roadmap, leading development across genetics, cultivation protocols and validation, translating scientific opportunities into commercially relevant programs, building and leading the technology team, coordinating external research and development partners, supporting IP and platform decisions, and representing the technology strategy in investor and strategic partner conversations.

## Requirements

-   We are looking for a builder with strong technical judgment and venture mentality.
-   You combine scientific credibility with execution power.
-   You understand how to move from concept to protocol, from protocol to product, and from product to scalable business.
-   You are able to work across disciplines such as plant science, biotechnology, controlled environment agriculture, product development, and commercial strategy.
-   You are comfortable in an early-stage setting where structure still has to be built and priorities change fast.
-   You bring proven leadership experience in biotechnology, plant science, agritech, life sciences, or another science-based innovation environment.
-   You have a strong understanding of genetics, breeding, biological systems, cultivation, or adjacent deep tech domains.
-   You have experience building technology, R&D, or product programs from an early stage and can connect research, development, operations, and business goals.
-   You have experience working with external technical partners, research institutes, or innovation ecosystems.
-   You combine strategic thinking with a hands-on attitude and communicate effectively with investors, founders, scientists, and commercial stakeholders.
-   Experience in controlled environment agriculture, IP-driven innovation, platform development, venture building, or science-heavy sectors such as pharma, food, health, or cosmetics is strongly preferred.

## Benefits

You will shape the core technology direction of a venture with the ambition to introduce new crops into CEA and build new high-value business models around them. This is a chance to build from the start, work on meaningful industrial change, and translate science into real market impact, with direct exposure to founders and investors and the opportunity to build a platform with long-term commercial relevance.

By joining a studio-backed venture, you will operate in an environment designed to accelerate building, with access to your own greenhouse and applied testing environment to develop and validate new crops for CEA. You will leverage shared studio capabilities across venture building, business design, fundraising, partnerships, and operations, while working within a strong infrastructure and network that allows you to move faster and co-create with experienced founders, domain experts, and external partners.