Senior Plant Pathologist — On-Site Research Leader

Placements24; Queenstown; Remote; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Travel to conferences

Advanced research facilities

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Queenstown, NZ is seeking a Senior Plant Pathologist to lead investigations into plant diseases affecting key agricultural crops. You will apply advanced diagnostics, laboratory and field methods, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team on-site.

You will design field trials, interpret data, mentor researchers, and contribute to disease management strategies that support sustainable agriculture and food security.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Botany, Microbiology or closely related field.
• Minimum 7 years of plant pathology research experience with a strong publication record.
• Extensive knowledge of plant pathogens and their life cycles; strong experimental design.
• Hands-on experience with diagnostic techniques, molecular methods, and field trials.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on identifying, diagnosing, and managing plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes.
• Conduct lab experiments to characterize virulence factors and host-pathogen interactions.
• Design and execute field trials to evaluate disease control strategies.
• Develop and standardize diagnostic protocols for plant pathogens.
• Analyze data from lab and field studies and provide actionable recommendations.
• Collaborate with breeders, agronomists, and extension specialists on integrated disease management.
• Mentor junior researchers and provide technical guidance to field staff.
• Prepare scientific reports, grant proposals, and publications.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Data analysis

Communication

Collaboration

Laboratory techniques

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Pathology

Tools

Molecular methods

Job description

Placements24 in Queenstown, NZ is seeking a Senior Plant Pathologist to lead investigations into plant diseases affecting key agricultural crops. You will apply advanced diagnostics, laboratory and field methods, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team on-site.

You will design field trials, interpret data, mentor researchers, and contribute to disease management strategies that support sustainable agriculture and food security.