Agronomist / Seed Scientist (Co-Founder, Part-Time, no salary till funding) - AB-bio

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AB-bio

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Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Company Description

AB-bio is an early-stage climate-tech startup developing biochar-based SeedBalls and soil amendments that help vegetation establish reliably in drought, salinity, poor soils and hard-to-reach landscapes. Our technology combines biochar micro-habitats, smart coating strategies and drone-ready deployment to solve one of Europe’s biggest challenges: planting new vegetation where traditional seeding often fails. From meadows, wetlands and forest understories to infrastructure verges, dikes, peatlands and regenerative farms, AB-bio creates simple, scalable tools for biodiversity recovery and climate-resilient planting. Our first production pilot is being developed in the Netherlands, with a strong focus on partnerships with municipalities, water boards, ecological contractors and drone operators. We aim to become Europe’s first restoration-grade SeedBall platform capable of supporting nature recovery at scale.


Role Overview

We are seeking a Dutch native Agronomist / Seed Scientist to join as a co-founder and provide core scientific expertise during our product development and pilot operations.

This is a very light time-commitment role (≈2 hours per week) until our first funding round is secured. After funding, responsibilities can expand depending on availability and interest. No salary is provided until investment is raised; equity compensation is available for co-founder status.



Core Responsibilities (Light Commitment)

1. Seed & Plant Science Expertise

  • Provide expert input on seed selection for meadows, wetlands, forests and agricultural applications.
  • Validate species suitability for the Dutch climate and restoration targets.
  • Advise on seed viability, storage and behaviour inside SeedBalls.

2. Product & R&D Guidance

  • Review and refine SeedBall formulations (seed placement, coatings, biochar integration).
  • Advise on germination, drought tolerance and field performance.
  • Support scientific credibility for investor discussions and pilot customers.

3. Biodiversity & Restoration Advisory

  • Give direction on species mixes for professional clients: municipalities, water boards, ecological contractors.
  • Ensure ecological fit with Dutch habitats, restoration goals and seasonal windows.

4. Field Testing Oversight (High-Level Input)

  • Help design small-scale field trials (even if not present on-site).
  • Interpret early results and recommend adjustments.

5. Regulatory & Compliance Awareness

  • Provide guidance on seed-quality standards, EU/Dutch regulations and good practices.
  • Improve quality-control protocols for seed procurement and handling.



Requirements

  • Native or close to native Dutch speaker (essential for: client conversations, restoration tenders, municipality/water-board projects, farmers).
  • MSc/PhD in Agronomy, Seed Science, Plant Biology, Ecology, or related field.
  • Deep understanding of Dutch ecosystems (meadows, wetlands, dunes, peatlands, forest understories, etc).
  • Experience with seed biology, germination or ecological restoration.
  • Ability to work in a low-time, advisory co-founder role (≈2h/week).
  • Comfortable with startup uncertainty and early-stage risk.



Nice-to-Have

  • French language ability (for future expansion into Wallonia, Belgium).
  • Experience with seed coatings, pelleting or encapsulation.
  • Familiarity with biochar, soil microbiology or regenerative agriculture.
  • Prior collaboration with municipalities, water boards, or nature organisations.
  • Drone or mechanised seeding experience.



What We Offer

  • Co-founder equity (negotiated individually, based on expertise and involvement).
  • A chance to build Europe’s first restoration-grade, climate-resilient SeedBall platform.
  • Flexible, low-time commitment with the option to scale involvement after funding.
  • Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team (engineering, drones, biochar, climate-tech).
  • Direct impact on Dutch biodiversity recovery, restoration outcomes and climate resilience.


To apply, please use LinkedIn and/or send your CV and a short motivation to meet@ab-bio.tech or contact us via the same email if you have any questions. We review candidates on a rolling basis and encourage early applications. We look forward to hearing from you!