Lead Plant Breeder - Drought-Resistant Crops

Placements24; George; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Competitive salary

Medical and retirement plans

Job summary

Placements24 in George, Western Cape, seeks a Lead Plant Breeder to spearhead drought-tolerance crop development. You will lead a team of scientists, drive breeding programs from lab to field, and apply cutting-edge genetics and genomic selection.

We require a PhD in Plant Breeding or Genetics with 10+ years postdoctoral experience in abiotic stress tolerance, and proven leadership in managing research projects. Willingness to travel and publish findings rounds out the profile.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral research experience in plant breeding with abiotic stress tolerance focus.
• Proven success in developing and releasing improved crop varieties.
• Experience leading scientific teams and managing research projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of plant breeders and geneticists in breeding programs for drought tolerance.
• Develop and implement molecular breeding techniques and genomic selection strategies.
• Oversee evaluation of germplasm and breeding lines under stress conditions.
• Manage field trials, data collection, and statistical analysis for genetic gains.
• Collaborate with agronomists, pathologists, and other specialists for integrated crop improvement.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Contribute to IP management including patent applications for novel varieties.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Travel willingness

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding/Genetics

Tools

R

SAS

GenStat

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a globally recognized leader in agricultural research and development, with a significant operational base in George, Western Cape . We are seeking an exceptional Lead Plant Breeder to spearhead our initiatives in developing drought-resistant crop varieties. This senior position is critical to our mission of enhancing food security and agricultural resilience in arid and semi-arid regions. You will lead a dedicated team of scientists, driving innovation from the laboratory to the field, with a strong focus on applying cutting-edge genetic and breeding techniques. This role requires a deep understanding of plant genetics, breeding methodologies, and the specific challenges faced by agriculture in regions like the Western Cape . Your work will directly contribute to developing crops that can thrive under challenging climatic conditions.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of plant breeders and geneticists in the design and execution of breeding programs for drought tolerance. Develop and implement advanced molecular breeding techniques and genomic selection strategies. Oversee the evaluation of new germplasm and breeding lines under various environmental stress conditions. Manage field trials, data collection, and statistical analysis to assess performance and genetic gains. Collaborate with agronomists, pathologists, and other specialists to ensure integrated crop improvement programs. Maintain comprehensive records of breeding experiments, pedigrees, and performance data. Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences. Contribute to intellectual property management, including patent applications for novel varieties.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, or a closely related field. Minimum of 10 years of post-doctoral research experience in plant breeding, with a proven specialization in abiotic stress tolerance, particularly drought. Demonstrated success in developing and releasing improved crop varieties. Expertise in quantitative genetics, molecular markers, and genomics (e.g., GWAS, genomic selection). Experience managing research projects and leading scientific teams. Proficiency in statistical software packages (e.g., R, SAS, GenStat). Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills. Willingness to travel occasionally for field work and conferences, based in George, Western Cape .

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package, including a substantial bonus structure, comprehensive medical and retirement plans, and relocation assistance if needed. We foster a collaborative research environment with access to state-of-the‑art facilities. Professional growth is supported through extensive training, conference participation, and leadership development opportunities. Join our impactful work in advancing agricultural science in George, Western Cape .