Senior Plant Pathologist - Disease Management

Placements24; Queenstown (MD); On-site; USD 72,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement plan

Research grants

Growth opportunities

Conference attendance

Collaboration with experts

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Plant Pathologist for a key role focused on diagnosing and managing diseases across crops in the Eastern Cape. You will lead field and laboratory research, develop rapid diagnostic tools, and implement integrated disease management strategies to protect yields and quality.

The role requires a PhD with 8+ years of post-doctoral research, strong publication record, and willingness to travel for fieldwork.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Pathology or closely related field.
• Minimum 8 years post-doctoral research in plant pathology with independent publications.

Responsibilities

• Identify and diagnose plant diseases in field and lab settings.
• Develop and validate diagnostic tools and protocols.
• Design IDM strategies including resistant varieties, biologicals, and chemicals.
• Investigate epidemiology and population dynamics of key pathogens.
• Manage projects from design through reporting; mentor juniors.

Skills

Plant pathology

Molecular diagnostics

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Leadership

Education

PhD in Plant Pathology

Tools

PCR

qPCR

Sequencing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading agricultural research institution focused on crop health, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Plant Pathologist to join their team based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This pivotal role will focus on the identification, diagnosis, and management of plant diseases affecting key agricultural crops in the region. The successful candidate will lead research initiatives, develop effective disease control strategies, and provide expert advisory services to farmers and agricultural stakeholders. This is a hands-on, research-intensive position requiring a deep understanding of plant pathology, molecular diagnostics, and integrated disease management principles. You will play a crucial role in safeguarding crop yields and quality, contributing significantly to the agricultural economy of the Eastern Cape. The ideal candidate is a dedicated scientist with a passion for problem-solving and a commitment to advancing crop protection science.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct field and laboratory research to identify and diagnose plant diseases affecting various crops.
• Develop and validate diagnostic tools and protocols for rapid and accurate disease identification.
• Design and implement integrated disease management (IDM) strategies, including the use of resistant varieties, biological controls, and chemical treatments.
• Investigate the epidemiology and population dynamics of key plant pathogens.
• Manage research projects, including experimental design, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers, technicians, and students in the plant pathology unit.
• Collaborate with other researchers, agronomists, and extension officers to disseminate research findings and provide technical support.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present at national and international conferences.
• Ensure compliance with biosafety regulations and laboratory safety standards.

Requirements

• A PhD in Plant Pathology, Mycology, Bacteriology, Virology, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of post-doctoral research experience in plant pathology, with a proven track record of independent research and publications.
• Extensive experience in diagnosing plant diseases and understanding pathogen biology and ecology.
• Demonstrated expertise in molecular diagnostic techniques (e.g., PCR, qPCR, sequencing).
• Proven ability to design, conduct, and manage complex research projects.
• Strong analytical, statistical, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in scientific writing and presentation.
• Leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• A valid driver's license and willingness to conduct fieldwork in various agricultural settings around Queenstown.

Benefits

• competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
• medical aid
• retirement planning
• research grants
• opportunities for professional growth
• attending scientific conferences
• collaborating with leading experts in the field