Plant Breeder - Cereal Crops

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Pension plan

International travel

State-of-the-art facilities

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria, Gauteng seeks a Plant Breeder to develop higher yielding, disease-tolerant cereal varieties through crossing, selection, and testing. The role combines lab work, field trials, and data analysis within a hybrid setting.

The ideal candidate has a Ph.D. or Master’s in Plant Breeding or related field, 5+ years in breeding, and strong genetics/statistics skills. Willingness to travel to field locations near Pretoria is required.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Crop Science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of plant breeding experience, preferably with cereal crops.
• Strong understanding of quantitative genetics and experimental design.
• Experience with molecular breeding (marker-assisted selection) desirable.
• Proficiency in data management software and breeding databases.
• Excellent observational and communication skills.
• Willingness to spend time in field locations near Pretoria.
• Passion for agricultural innovation and food security.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute plant breeding programs for key cereal crops, focusing on yield, quality, and stress tolerance.
• Conduct controlled crosses and implement selection strategies to develop superior genotypes.
• Manage field trials, including experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis.
• Utilize molecular markers and genomic selection techniques to accelerate breeding progress.
• Evaluate germplasm for desired traits and identify elite breeding lines.
• Collaborate with pathologists, entomologists, and agronomists to assess crop performance and resistance.
• Participate in seed production and variety release activities.
• Maintain detailed records of breeding activities, pedigrees, and trial results.
• Stay current with advancements in plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology.

Skills

Plant breeding

Quantitative genetics

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Molecular breeding techniques

Data management (R/SAS)

Education

Ph.D. or Master's degree in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Crop Science, or a closely related field

Tools

R

SAS

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading international agricultural research organization, is seeking a talented and innovative Plant Breeder to join their team in Pretoria, Gauteng. This role focuses on the development of improved cereal crop varieties with enhanced yield potential, disease resistance, and nutritional quality to meet the growing global food demand. You will be involved in all stages of the breeding process, from initial crossing and selection to advanced testing and variety release. This hybrid role requires a combination of laboratory work, field trials, and data analysis, with opportunities to collaborate with a diverse team of scientists. The successful candidate will possess a strong scientific background, a passion for genetics, and a commitment to advancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in South Africa and beyond. You will contribute to cutting-edge research aimed at developing resilient and high-performing crops for various agro-ecological zones. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven professional to make a significant impact in crop improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute plant breeding programs for key cereal crops, focusing on yield, quality, and stress tolerance.
• Conduct controlled crosses and implement selection strategies to develop superior genotypes.
• Manage field trials, including experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis.
• Utilize molecular markers and genomic selection techniques to accelerate breeding progress.
• Evaluate germplasm for desired traits and identify elite breeding lines.
• Collaborate with pathologists, entomologists, and agronomists to assess crop performance and resistance.
• Participate in seed production and variety release activities.
• Maintain detailed records of breeding activities, pedigrees, and trial results.
• Stay current with advancements in plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Crop Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in plant breeding, preferably with cereal crops.
• Strong understanding of quantitative genetics, experimental design, and statistical analysis.
• Experience with molecular breeding techniques (e.g., marker-assisted selection) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in data management software (e.g., R, SAS) and breeding databases.
• Excellent observational skills and attention to detail in field evaluations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a research setting.
• Willingness to spend time in field locations near Pretoria, Gauteng during growing seasons.
• A passion for agricultural innovation and food security.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid package.
• Pension fund with company contribution.
• Opportunities for international travel to scientific conferences and collaborations.
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory and field facilities.
• Support for ongoing professional development and research.
• A dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment in Pretoria, Gauteng.