Senior Plant Pathologist - Disease Management Specialist

Placements24; Windsor Park (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Relocation assistance

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Plant Pathologist to lead diagnostics and research across East London and the Eastern Cape. The role focuses on diagnosing diseases, developing control strategies, and guiding farmers and extension services to improve crop health and yields.

You will conduct laboratory analyses, greenhouse experiments, and extensive fieldwork, mentoring researchers and technicians while collaborating with agronomists and scientists to advance integrated disease management and

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Pathology, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral research experience in plant pathology with focus on agricultural crops.
• Demonstrated expertise in diagnosing plant diseases and implementing disease management strategies.
• Proven experience in leading research projects and managing scientific teams.
• Laboratory techniques for pathogen isolation, identification, and culturing.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills for interpreting experimental data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience in scientific writing and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose a wide range of plant diseases affecting economically important crops.
• Design and execute field and laboratory experiments to test control measures.
• Monitor disease epidemiology and provide timely alerts to growers.
• Collaborate with agronomists and other scientists for integrated crop management solutions.
• Author scientific publications, present findings, and contribute to technical reports.

Skills

Leadership of research projects

Analytical and statistical skills

Scientific writing and presentations

Fieldwork ability

Education

PhD in Plant Pathology or related field

Tools

Pathogen isolation and culturing

Molecular diagnostic techniques

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading agricultural research and development organization, is seeking a Senior Plant Pathologist to join their team in **East London, Eastern Cape**. This critical role focuses on diagnosing, managing, and preventing plant diseases that affect major crops in the region and beyond. You will lead research initiatives, develop innovative disease control strategies, and provide expert guidance to farmers and agricultural extension services. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in plant pathology, extensive experience with various plant diseases, and a deep understanding of fungicides, biological control agents, and cultural practices for disease management. This position requires strong scientific leadership, excellent diagnostic skills, and a passion for ensuring crop health and productivity. The role involves laboratory analysis, greenhouse experiments, and significant fieldwork across diverse agricultural settings in the **Eastern Cape**. We seek a dedicated professional committed to advancing plant disease management and contributing to sustainable agriculture. You will play a vital role in safeguarding crop yields and quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Diagnose a wide range of plant diseases affecting economically important crops.
• Conduct research to understand disease cycles, pathogen biology, and factors influencing disease severity.
• Develop and evaluate novel strategies for disease prevention and control, including chemical, biological, and cultural methods.
• Design and execute field and laboratory experiments to test the efficacy of control measures.
• Monitor disease epidemiology and provide timely alerts and recommendations to growers.
• Manage and mentor a team of plant health technicians and researchers.
• Collaborate with agronomists, entomologists, and other scientists to provide integrated crop management solutions.
• Author scientific publications, present research findings, and contribute to technical reports.
• Ensure compliance with biosafety regulations and laboratory safety standards.
• Advise on quarantine measures and phytosanitary regulations related to plant diseases.
• Stay current with advancements in plant pathology, diagnostics, and disease management technologies.

Requirements

• PhD in Plant Pathology, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of post-doctoral research experience in plant pathology, with a focus on agricultural crops.
• Demonstrated expertise in diagnosing plant diseases, understanding pathogen biology, and implementing disease management strategies.
• Proven experience in leading research projects and managing scientific teams.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques for pathogen isolation, identification, and culturing.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills for interpreting experimental data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in scientific writing and presentations.
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in various agricultural environments.
• Familiarity with molecular diagnostic techniques is a significant advantage.
• Knowledge of fungicide efficacy testing and resistance management.
• Valid driver's license required.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience, along with comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for qualified candidates.
• This role offers the opportunity to conduct important research in **East London** and contribute to the agricultural vitality of the **Eastern Cape**.
• Professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and specialized training, are readily available.
• Join a leading organization dedicated to ensuring crop health and agricultural sustainability.