Lead Plant Breeder — Field Crops (Queenstown)

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 128,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement fund

Professional development

Research facilities

Annual leave

Research grants

Job summary

Placements24 presents an exciting opportunity for a Plant Breeder specializing in field crops to join a leading agricultural research institution in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. The role focuses on designing and managing breeding programs to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties while applying molecular tools to accelerate trait development.

The successful candidate will lead field trials, collaborate with scientists, mentor junior staff, and contribute to publications and funding

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or related field.
• 5-7 years hands-on plant breeding experience with field crops.
• Experience designing field trials and managing breeding nurseries.
• Knowledge of genetics, quantitative genetics, and breeding methodologies.
• Familiarity with molecular breeding techniques and genomic analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage plant breeding programs for key field crops.
• Develop and select superior genotypes with high yield and disease resistance.
• Conduct field evaluations and nursery trials, analyzing data from crop parameters.
• Utilize conventional breeding and molecular markers for trait development.
• Manage germplasm collections and ensure effective utilization in programs.
• Collaborate with agronomists, pathologists, and other scientists on improvement strategies.
• Maintain pedigrees and trial result records, prep reports and presentations.
• Mentor junior breeders, technicians, and field staff.
• Stay current with advancements in plant genetics and breeding technologies.
• Ensure biosafety and regulatory compliance; contribute to research proposals.

Skills

Genetics knowledge

Data analysis

Field trial design

Team leadership

Education

Master's or PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or related field

Tools

R

SAS

Genomic analysis tools

Job description

Placements24 presents an exciting opportunity for a Plant Breeder specializing in field crops to join a leading agricultural research institution in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. The role focuses on designing and managing breeding programs to develop high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties while applying molecular tools to accelerate trait development.

The successful candidate will lead field trials, collaborate with scientists, mentor junior staff, and contribute to publications and funding