Are you a visionary technology leader with a passion for transforming agriculture through science?
Are you driven to lead R&D innovation at the intersection of biotechnology, sustainability, and food security?
OlsAro Crop Biotech is looking for a dynamic Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to guide our growing team and technical vision as we tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time: feeding the world in a changing climate.
About Us
We are Olsaro Crop Biotech, a pioneering trait development and pre-breeding startup dedicated to developing solutions that empower agriculture to withstand a changing climate. Our focus is on enhancing crop resilience through innovative genetic materials, with the first focus on wheat. From tackling abiotic stresses like salinity and heat to improving nitrogen use efficiency, we are at the forefront of trait development innovation to support resilience and global food security. Having closed a successful seed funding round, we are scaling our efforts both technologically and commercially, aiming for food system resilience for future generations.
The Role: Chief Technology Officer
As our CTO, you will bring a strong background in trait development and the seed industry, taking on a central role in OlsAro’s technology journey. You will lead the R&D team, shape our platform strategy, and drive innovation across trait discovery and variety development. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team, you will have full ownership of the technology roadmap and its execution. This is a highly empowered role with significant influence over both strategic direction and day-to-day decision-making. You will work alongside the CSO as a peer. The CSO, will be responsible for advising technical expertise and setting longer term strategy as a co-founder/C-suite leader.
Your expertise will enable the rapid evelopment and scale-up of breakthrough biotech solutions, working closely with internal teams, external partners, and strategic investors.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute OlsAro’s long-term vision in trait development for cereals.
- Oversee platform development and trait development pipelines from concept to field.
- Lead, inspire, develop and expand our interdisciplinary R&D team.
- Oversee timely, budget-conscious project delivery, while managing resources effectively.
- Forge and manage high-impact collaborations with seed industry and research partners.
- Secure and manage public funding opportunities to support strategic partnerships and R&D initiatives, enabling innovation and long-term growth.
- Build data-driven infrastructure and oversee bioinformatics development.
- Integrate emerging technologies such as gene editing, molecular breeding, and AI-powered trait discovery.
- Represent OlsAro in customer, scientific, regulatory, and investment communities.
- Ensure high standards for reproducibility, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.
Required Qualifications
- Proven leadership experience (7+ years) in technology and R&D roles within agtech, preferably seed industry. Including a strong ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects.
- Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Molecular Biology, Plant Biotechnology, Computational Biology, or related field.
- Experience working in commercial trait development, breeding in a seed or trait development company.
- Proven skills in representing an organization in different communities and contexts, including driving the OlsAro tech-agenda in commercial dialogs.
- Demonstrated expertise in publicly presenting tech-driven business cases and taking part in discussions at business conferences and in scientific communities.
- Proven track record of attracting public funding for R&D and partnerships.
- Experience in trait development methodologies, molecular techniques, data integration, phenomics, and data management tools.
- Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving, communication, and decisionmaking skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and hands-on approach to building systems in a fastpaced startup environment.
- In-depth understanding of regulatory pathways for the commercialization of seeds and traits.
- Expertise in intellectual property development, technology licensing and scaling R&D and product platforms, preferably within startup or early-stage environments.
- Fluent in English.
Join Us
If you are a visionary technology leader with a passion for transforming agriculture through science, then we invite you to join our journey to revolutionize crop development and to contribute to our mission of advancing climate adaptation in cereals.
Position Details
- Type: Full-time, permanent (6-month probationary period applies)
- Start Date: From 1st of September 2026 (flexible based on candidate availability)
- Location: Gothenburg, Sweden (Medicinaregatan 9C). Physical attendance is mandatory.
- Applications will be evaluated continuously.
How to apply
Please provide your CV and cover letter outlining your qualifications and relevant experience.
Why Join OlsAro in Gothenburg, Sweden?
- Gothenburg is Sweden’s dynamic innovation hub, where world-class universities, cutting-edge startups, and a fast-growing life sciences sector come together in a vibrant, forward-looking city. Beyond its strong professional opportunities, it consistently ranks among Europe’s most livable cities, offering an exceptional quality of life, outstanding healthcare, and a well-functioning social support system. With its welcoming atmosphere, lively cultural scene, cozy cafés, coastal charm, and easy access to Sweden’s beautiful natural parcs. Enjoy the balance of urban culture and nature—with coastlines, archipelagos, forests, and hiking trails at your doorstep.
- Gothenburg is an English-friendly city, with an international community and vibrant tech and research scene
- Sweden offers a high-quality, tuition-free public education system from preschool to university. International and bilingual schools are available in Gothenburg. Sweden consistently ranks highly in international education assessments such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), reflecting the strong academic foundation provided by the Swedish school system.
- Sweden is a leader in sustainability, gender equality, and family-friendly policies, making it an ideal place to build both a career and a life.