Horticultural Scientist - Plant Breeding

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

State-of-the-art facilities

Publication opportunities

International conferences

Sandton location

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton seeks a highly qualified Horticultural Scientist specializing in plant breeding to join our R&D team, focusing on developing new plant varieties with improved traits.

You will lead breeding programs, conduct field trials, and apply genetic and molecular techniques to advance crop performance for local and global markets. The ideal candidate holds a PhD and 5+ years of applied breeding experience, with greenhouse and field trials expertise.

Qualifications

• PhD in Horticulture, Plant Science, Genetics or related field with plant breeding focus.
• Minimum 5 years of applied plant breeding research and program management.
• Proven track record in developing new plant varieties or improving existing ones.
• Strong knowledge of genetics, molecular biology, statistics and experimental design.
• Experience with greenhouse and field trial management.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead plant breeding programs for key horticultural crops.
• Conduct field trials, collect data and perform statistical analysis.
• Apply genetic and molecular techniques to accelerate progress.
• Maintain detailed records of experimental designs and germplasm.
• Collaborate with scientists, agronomists and breeders to meet objectives.
• Stay current with literature and best practices in plant breeding.

Skills

Genetic techniques

Molecular techniques

Statistical analysis

Research design

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Horticulture/Plant Science/Genetics (plant breeding focus)

Tools

Genetic techniques

Greenhouse trials

Field trials

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in agricultural innovation, is seeking a highly qualified Horticultural Scientist specializing in plant breeding to join their research and development team based in Sandton . This role is at the forefront of developing new, improved plant varieties with enhanced traits such as disease resistance, yield potential, and nutritional value. You will conduct rigorous research, manage breeding programs, and work with advanced genetic and horticultural techniques to bring superior crops to market. This position offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the advancement of horticulture and food security.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement comprehensive plant breeding programs for key horticultural crops.
• Conduct field trials, collect data, and perform statistical analysis to evaluate breeding lines.
• Utilize genetic and molecular techniques to accelerate breeding progress and improve trait selection.
• Develop and maintain detailed records of experimental designs, results, and germplasm.
• Collaborate with other scientists, agronomists, and breeders to achieve research objectives.
• Stay current with scientific literature, emerging technologies, and best practices in plant breeding and horticulture.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Horticulture, Plant Science, Genetics, or a related field with a focus on plant breeding.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in applied plant breeding research and program management.
• Proven track record in developing new plant varieties or improving existing ones.
• Strong knowledge of genetics, molecular biology, statistics, and experimental design.
• Experience with greenhouse and field trial management.
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and technologies.
• Opportunities for publication and presentation at international conferences.
• Contribution to developing innovative plant varieties for local and global markets.
• Stimulating research environment in the vibrant area of Sandton .