Assistant Plant Breeder: Build Next-Gen Veg Varieties

A. Duda & Sons, Inc.; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Duda Farm Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA seeks an Assistant Plant Breeder to support a large international vegetable breeding program. You will work on crops like celery, radish, kale, and cilantro, reporting to the VP of R&D. The role combines traditional and modern breeding techniques with cross-functional collaboration.

The position emphasizes data collection, trial execution, and documentation, with opportunities to advance breeding lines and contribute to commercial variety development.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Horticulture, Biology, or related field is required.
• Ph.D. is preferred.
• 1+ years of plant breeding or agricultural research experience is desirable.
• Strong data collection, analysis, and recordkeeping skills are essential.
• Proficiency in Excel; familiarity with databases is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, execute, and evaluate breeding and research trials.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret breeding and field-trial data.
• Participate in variety development activities including plant selection, crossing, and advancement of breeding lines.
• Maintain accurate breeding records, databases, and trial documentation.
• Support seed production, breeding cage operations, and seed harvest activities.
• Prepare technical reports and summaries of results.
• Collaborate with production, harvest, processing, and research teams to evaluate crop performance.

Skills

Plant breeding

Data collection

Excel

Database management

Statistical analysis

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Plant Breeding

Ph.D. preferred

Tools

Database management systems

Job description

Duda Farm Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA seeks an Assistant Plant Breeder to support a large international vegetable breeding program. You will work on crops like celery, radish, kale, and cilantro, reporting to the VP of R&D. The role combines traditional and modern breeding techniques with cross-functional collaboration.

The position emphasizes data collection, trial execution, and documentation, with opportunities to advance breeding lines and contribute to commercial variety development.