Lead Plant Breeder - Drought Resistance Specialist

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Relocation assistance

Professional development and training

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Plant Breeder in Polokwane, Limpopo, to drive drought-tolerant breeding programs for arid environments. You will lead breeders and geneticists, guiding germplasm evaluation, field trials, and product release in a hybrid work model with on-site and remote data analysis.

The role demands Ph.D. with 8+ years in stress-focused breeding, expertise in quantitative genetics, MAS/GS, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Crop Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years in plant breeding with focus on stress-tolerant varieties.
• Demonstrated drought physiology and phenotyping for water-use efficiency.
• Proficiency in quantitative genetics, SAS or R, and molecular breeding techniques.
• Experience leading research teams and managing complex breeding projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead breeding programs to enhance drought tolerance in key crops.
• Develop phenotyping strategies for water-limited conditions.
• Utilize MAS and GS to accelerate progress.
• Mentor breeders, geneticists, and technicians.
• Oversee field trials, data collection, and statistics.
• Collaborate across genetics, physiology, and agronomy.
• Stay current with drought-stress research.
• Contribute to publications, grants and IP.
• Communicate progress to stakeholders and partners.

Skills

Quantitative genetics

Molecular breeding

Marker-assisted selection

Genomic selection

Leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding / Genetics / Crop Science

Tools

SAS

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent agricultural research institution, is seeking an innovative Lead Plant Breeder with specialization in drought resistance to join their team in Polokwane, Limpopo. This role is crucial for developing new crop varieties that can thrive in arid and semi-arid conditions, enhancing food security in challenging environments. You will lead a team of breeders and geneticists, overseeing all aspects of the breeding program, from germplasm evaluation to field trials and product release. This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing for both laboratory/field work and remote data analysis and reporting. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in quantitative genetics, molecular breeding techniques, and a deep understanding of plant responses to water stress. You will collaborate with researchers globally to advance the science of crop improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of plant breeding programs focused on enhancing drought tolerance in key crop species.
• Develop and implement advanced phenotyping strategies to accurately assess plant performance under water-limited conditions.
• Utilize molecular breeding tools, including marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS), to accelerate breeding progress.
• Manage and mentor a team of plant breeders, geneticists, and technicians, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.
• Oversee field trials, data collection, and statistical analysis to evaluate breeding lines.
• Collaborate with researchers in genetics, physiology, and agronomy to integrate diverse expertise.
• Stay abreast of cutting-edge research in plant breeding, genetics, and drought stress physiology.
• Contribute to the development of scientific publications, grant proposals, and intellectual property.
• Ensure effective communication of research progress and outcomes to internal stakeholders and external partners.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Crop Science, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in plant breeding, with a significant focus on developing stress-tolerant varieties.
• Demonstrated expertise in drought physiology and phenotyping for water-use efficiency and tolerance.
• Proficiency in quantitative genetics, statistical analysis software (e.g., SAS, R), and molecular breeding techniques.
• Proven experience in leading research teams and managing complex breeding projects.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a hybrid work environment.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Familiarity with the agricultural context of Limpopo is an advantage.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and relocation assistance if applicable. You will have the opportunity to lead impactful research that addresses critical global agricultural challenges. Professional development, including opportunities to attend international conferences and training, is strongly supported. This hybrid role offers flexibility, allowing for remote work in conjunction with essential on-site activities in Polokwane. Join a leading organization dedicated to innovation in agriculture and making a tangible difference in the world.