Horticultural Scientist - Plant Breeding Specialist

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Flexible schedule

Health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Generous leave entitlement

Global collaboration opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an innovative Horticultural Scientist specializing in Plant Breeding to develop new varieties with disease resistance, higher yields, and enhanced nutrition. The role is fully remote, enabling collaboration with global teams from home base, potentially near Pretoria.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD and 5+ years in plant breeding, with strong genetics knowledge, experimental design, and publication history.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Genetics or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years of plant breeding research experience in horticultural crops.
• Strong background in quantitative genetics, molecular breeding and experimental design.
• Proficiency in statistical software and bioinformatics tools.
• Excellent scientific writing and publication record.
• Ability to work independently and manage remote research projects.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute plant breeding programs for selected horticultural crops using modern techniques.
• Evaluate germplasm, conduct field trials, and collect data on performance, disease resistance, yield, and quality.
• Maintain detailed records of breeding lines, experimental data, and progeny performance.
• Identify and introduce new genetic resources and technologies to boost efficiency.
• Collaborate with geneticists, plant pathologists, and researchers to address crop-improvement challenges.
• Analyze breeding data with statistical software and guide selection decisions.
• Prepare scientific reports and papers for publication; present findings at conferences.
• Oversee quarantine, testing, and seed increase of new varieties.
• Ensure biosafety and ethical standards in plant breeding research.

Skills

Quantitative genetics

Molecular breeding

Statistical analysis

Bioinformatics tools

Scientific writing

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Horticulture or Genetics

Tools

R

SAS

JMP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading agricultural research institution located in the vicinity of Pretoria, Gauteng , is actively seeking an innovative and highly qualified Horticultural Scientist specializing in Plant Breeding. This role is central to developing new, improved plant varieties with enhanced traits such as disease resistance, higher yields, and superior nutritional value. The ideal candidate will possess a strong scientific background in genetics and plant breeding, coupled with practical experience in conducting breeding programs. This position offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to the advancement of horticultural crops for both local and international markets. The role is designed as a fully remote position, allowing the successful candidate to conduct their research and collaborate with global teams from anywhere, fostering a flexible and efficient work environment. Our client is committed to pushing the boundaries of horticultural science and is seeking a candidate who shares this vision, to work from their home base, potentially within or near Pretoria if preferred, while focusing on research and development efforts.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute plant breeding programs for selected horticultural crops, utilizing modern breeding techniques including marker-assisted selection and genomic analysis.
• Evaluate germplasm, conduct field trials, and meticulously collect data on plant performance, disease resistance, yield, and quality traits.
• Develop and maintain detailed records of breeding lines, experimental data, and progeny performance.
• Identify and introduce new genetic resources and technologies to enhance breeding efficiency and success rates.
• Collaborate with geneticists, plant pathologists, and other researchers to address specific crop improvement challenges.
• Analyze breeding data using statistical software and interpret results to make informed decisions about selection and advancement of breeding lines.
• Prepare scientific reports, research papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and present findings at conferences and stakeholder meetings.
• Manage the quarantine, testing, and seed increase of new varieties.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant biosafety regulations and ethical standards in plant breeding research.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Horticulture, Genetics, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in plant breeding research, with a demonstrated focus on horticultural crops.
• Strong understanding of quantitative genetics, molecular breeding techniques, and experimental design.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., R, SAS, JMP) and experience with bioinformatics tools.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills, with a track record of publications.
• Ability to work independently and manage research projects from conception to completion in a remote setting.
• Experience in data management and record-keeping for complex breeding programs.
• Familiarity with plant propagation techniques and horticultural practices.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and possessing strong problem-solving abilities.
• Access to a reliable internet connection and a suitable home office environment for remote work.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Fully remote work arrangement, offering exceptional flexibility.
• Contribution to cutting-edge research in plant science and agriculture.
• Opportunities for professional growth and engagement with a global scientific community.
• Access to advanced research tools and databases.
• Support for attending relevant scientific conferences and workshops.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Generous annual leave policy.
• The chance to contribute to developing sustainable food solutions for South Africa and beyond.