Trainee Plant Breeder — Soft Fruit Innovation

EDWARD VINSON LTD; Faversham; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Edward Vinson Ltd, based near Faversham in Kent, invites applications for a Trainee Plant Breeder. You will join the Breeding Team to learn every stage of the trial pipeline and work toward becoming a Soft Fruit Breeder. The role includes hands-on plant work, data capture and collaboration with trial partners.

You will receive practical training, with opportunities to develop skills in crosses, phenotyping, data systems and field operations across raspberry, blueberry and blackberry programmes.

Qualifications

• Interest in plant breeding, biology, genetics, horticulture or related field.
• Attention to detail when collecting data and maintaining records.
• Clear communication with managers, colleagues and trial partners.
• Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Willingness to learn through hands-on training.
• Physical ability to work on your feet in glasshouses and polytunnels.
• Full driving licence and flexibility for occasional travel.
• Fluent English and right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Establishing new plant material: seed extraction, germination, propagation across raspberry, blueberry and blackberry programmes.
• Creating new crosses: controlled pollination and flower emasculation.
• Selecting promising varieties: scoring plants using commercial metrics (yield, fruit size, Brix, firmness).
• Capturing reliable data: recording real-time trial data and supporting Power BI dashboards and pedigree records.
• Caring for breeding trials: repotting, pruning and routine plant care in glasshouses, polytunnels and field plots.
• Supporting harvest: picking fruit and assisting with harvest and post-harvest evaluations during peak periods.

Skills

Plant biology

Attention to detail

Data management

Communication

Excel

Team player

Driving licence

Education

Horticulture degree

Biology degree

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Edward Vinson Ltd, based near Faversham in Kent, invites applications for a Trainee Plant Breeder. You will join the Breeding Team to learn every stage of the trial pipeline and work toward becoming a Soft Fruit Breeder. The role includes hands-on plant work, data capture and collaboration with trial partners.

You will receive practical training, with opportunities to develop skills in crosses, phenotyping, data systems and field operations across raspberry, blueberry and blackberry programmes.