Hybrid Plant Breeding Research Assistant – Data & Lab

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid contributions

Paid time off

Training and development programs

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Agricultural Research Assistant to support the Plant Breeding division in Randburg, Gauteng. The role blends laboratory work, greenhouse cultivation and field trials, with some remote data analysis and report preparation.

The successful candidate will assist senior scientists in crop improvement programs, contributing to high‑yielding, resilient varieties and gaining hands-on experience in a cutting‑edge research environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a plant science field is required or strongly preferred.
• Experience in plant science labs or field research is desirable.
• Ability to follow protocols and work both indoors and outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute plant breeding experiments (crossing, selfing, selection).
• Conduct lab procedures including DNA extraction and PCR; collect data for markers.
• Manage greenhouse and field plots; record data and monitor pests/diseases.
• Perform basic statistics on experimental data and help prepare reports.
• Maintain plant stocks and assist with literature reviews and summaries.

Skills

Excel for data management

Microsoft Office

Statistical software (R,SAS)

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Plant Science / Botany / Agronomy / Genetics or related agricultural science

Tools

DNA extraction

PCR

Field notebooks

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an Agricultural Research Assistant to support the Plant Breeding division in Randburg, Gauteng. The role blends laboratory work, greenhouse cultivation and field trials, with some remote data analysis and report preparation.

The successful candidate will assist senior scientists in crop improvement programs, contributing to high‑yielding, resilient varieties and gaining hands-on experience in a cutting‑edge research environment.