Horticultural Scientist - Plant Breeding Specialist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Híbrido; ZAR 900.000 - 1.300.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Competitive salary package

Health, dental & vision insurance

Retirement fund with employer matching

Professional growth opportunities

Generous leave and relocation support

Access to advanced research facilities

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 in Rustenburg, North West, seeks an innovative Horticultural Scientist (Plant Breeding) to drive development of high-performing crop varieties. You will lead breeding programs, apply MAS/GS, oversee field trials, and interpret genomic data, contributing to climate-resilient crops.

The role requires a Ph.D. with 5+ years post-doctoral experience, strong genetics & statistics skills, and a track record of releasing new varieties.

Formación

• Ph.D. in Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Genetics or closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years post-doctoral research experience in plant breeding.
• Proven expertise in quantitative genetics, molecular genetics, and breeding methodologies.
• Track record of developing and releasing new plant varieties.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills with software proficiency (R, SAS, GenStat).
• Experience with bioinformatics tools and genomic data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with publications.

Responsabilidades

• Design and execute plant breeding programs to develop new crop varieties with desired traits.
• Utilize molecular breeding techniques including MAS and GS.
• Conduct field trials to evaluate performance under variable conditions.
• Analyze and interpret data from breeding experiments and trials.
• Manage genetic resources and maintain breeding pedigrees.
• Collaborate with agronomists and pathologists to assess performance and disease resistance.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and technical staff.

Conocimientos

Quantitative genetics

Molecular genetics

Breeding methodologies

Data analysis

Leadership

Educación

Ph.D. in Horticulture / Plant Breeding / Genetics

Herramientas

R

SAS

GenStat

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and highly qualified Horticultural Scientist with a specialization in Plant Breeding to join their esteemed research division in Rustenburg, North West. This critical role focuses on the development of new, high-performance plant varieties through advanced breeding techniques. You will be at the forefront of agricultural innovation, contributing to the creation of crops with enhanced yields, disease resistance, nutritional value, and climate resilience. The ideal candidate will possess a strong academic background in plant science and extensive hands-on experience in breeding methodologies. This position offers the chance to work with cutting-edge research facilities and collaborate with a team of dedicated scientists. If you are passionate about plant genetics and contributing to the future of sustainable agriculture, this is an exceptional opportunity. The role requires meticulous attention to detail, analytical prowess, and a forward-thinking approach to horticultural research and development. We are looking for a visionary to drive our plant breeding programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute plant breeding programs to develop new crop varieties with desired traits.
• Utilize advanced molecular breeding techniques, including marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS).
• Conduct field trials to evaluate the performance of new breeding lines under various environmental conditions.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data from breeding experiments and field trials.
• Manage genetic resources and maintain detailed records of germplasm and breeding pedigrees.
• Collaborate with agronomists and pathologists to assess crop performance and disease resistance.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in plant genetics, breeding technologies, and horticultural science.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and technical staff involved in breeding projects.
• Contribute to the development of intellectual property through patents and plant variety protection.
• Ensure compliance with biosafety regulations and ethical research practices.
• Develop strategies for the commercialization of newly developed plant varieties.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Horticulture, Plant Breeding, Genetics, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience in plant breeding.
• Proven expertise in quantitative genetics, molecular genetics, and breeding methodologies.
• Demonstrated success in developing and releasing new plant varieties.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills, with proficiency in relevant software (e.g., R, SAS, GenStat).
• Experience with bioinformatics tools and genomic data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of scientific publications.
• Ability to lead research projects and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• A passion for innovation in agricultural science and a commitment to sustainable practices.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to field trial sites in the Rustenburg area and beyond.
• Experience with field-based plant breeding programs.

Benefits

• Our client provides a highly competitive salary package commensurate with qualifications and experience, along with potential for performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance are standard benefits.
• A robust retirement fund with employer matching contributions is offered.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth, including conference attendance, workshops, and further training.
• Generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment.
• A stimulating and collaborative work environment at the forefront of agricultural innovation.
• Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.
• Support for attending international scientific forums.