Internship Molecular Diagnostics for Plant Health - BASF | Nunhems - Haelen/Nunhem

Your Job

Healthy plants and high-quality seeds start with accurate and reliable diagnostics. During this internship, you will help develop molecular methods that detect and identify plant pathogens. Your work will contribute to plant health, seed quality, and more sustainable crop production.

The exact scope of your internship will be tailored to your educational background, interests, and the research projects available at the time.

In this role, you will:

• Contribute to the development, optimization, and validation of molecular diagnostic assays for plant pathogens.


• Work with real-time PCR, including the design and evaluation of primers and probes for targeted detection.


• Perform DNA and RNA extraction, sample preparation, and quality checks on plant and seed samples.


• Analyze and interpret diagnostic data generated through methods such as real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing.


• Apply bioinformatics and sequence analysis to support pathogen identification, characterization, and assay development.


• Explore emerging molecular technologies and assess how they could improve diagnostic workflows.


• Document experimental methods, analyses, results, and conclusions in a clear and structured way.


• Share your findings and ideas during team meetings, scientific discussions, and presentations.

Your Team

You will join an international and collaborative scientific environment focused on plant health and molecular diagnostics. You will work closely with experienced researchers and diagnostic specialists who will support you throughout your internship.

The team combines scientific expertise with a practical focus on real-world challenges in plant and seed health. You will have room to ask questions, exchange ideas, learn from others, and take ownership of your own internship project.

Your Profile

What knowledge and experience make you successful in this role?

• You are currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Plant Sciences, Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related field.


• You have a basic understanding of molecular biology and genetics.


• You are interested in plant pathology, plant health, and the development of diagnostic methods.


• Experience with real-time PCR, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, or related molecular techniques is an advantage, but not required.


• You are comfortable analyzing scientific information and working accurately with experimental data.


• You can communicate and collaborate effectively in an international working environment.

How do you create impact beyond expertise?

Own it

• You take responsibility for your experiments, planning, and documentation.


• You work carefully and reliably, with attention to detail and data quality.


• You are open about challenges and ask for support when needed.

Drive it

• You approach scientific questions with curiosity and a problem-solving mindset.


• You proactively explore ideas and opportunities to improve methods or workflows.


• You contribute actively to discussions and share your observations with the team.

Excel in it

• You are eager to develop your technical and analytical skills.


• You use feedback to improve your work and deepen your scientific understanding.


• You collaborate openly and respectfully, helping the team achieve reliable and meaningful results.

What We Offer

• A challenging internship in an innovative research environment.


• Hands-on experience with advanced molecular and genomic technologies.


• The opportunity to work on real-world challenges in plant health, seed health, and pathogen diagnostics.


• Guidance and mentoring from experienced researchers and diagnostic specialists.


• The opportunity to present your findings and contribute to ongoing research projects.


• Experience within an international and collaborative scientific environment.


• An internship allowance in line with the applicable guidelines.

Are you passionate about molecular biology, plant health, and innovative diagnostic technologies? If you are eager to apply your knowledge in a practical research setting, we would be happy to hear from you.