Hybrid Horticultural Scientist: Climate-Smart Breeding

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Paid time off

Hybrid work model

Conference attendance

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein seeks a Horticultural Research Scientist to lead advanced crop improvement projects, from design to field trials and data analysis.

You will develop climate-resilient varieties, optimize irrigation and nutrient strategies, and publish findings while collaborating with growers, researchers, and industry partners. Hybrid work model offered; strong focus on impactful horticultural research in South Africa.

Qualifications

• PhD in horticulture or related field with strong research background.
• Post-doctoral experience in horticulture and publications in journals.
• Experience with experimental design, field trials, and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design, conduct and manage field/lab experiments on crop improvement.
• Develop new cultivation techniques, including irrigation and nutrients.
• Research plant breeding and genetics for climate-resilient varieties.
• Analyze data using statistical tools (R/SAS) and interpret results.
• Publish findings and present at conferences; collaborate with partners.
• Oversee junior researchers and coordinate field teams.
• Manage budgets, resources and grant applications.
• Ensure safety, ethical and regulatory compliance in research.

Skills

Experimental design

Field research

Statistical analysis

Education

PhD in Horticulture, Plant Science, Agronomy

Tools

R

SAS

Job description

Placements24 in Bloemfontein seeks a Horticultural Research Scientist to lead advanced crop improvement projects, from design to field trials and data analysis.

You will develop climate-resilient varieties, optimize irrigation and nutrient strategies, and publish findings while collaborating with growers, researchers, and industry partners. Hybrid work model offered; strong focus on impactful horticultural research in South Africa.