Plant Breeder - Crop Improvement Specialist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Research grants

International collaboration

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Placements24 invites a PhD-level Plant Breeder to join a leading agricultural research institution in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. You will design breeding programs, conduct field trials, and integrate MAS/GS tools to advance crop genetics for South Africa.

You will collaborate with molecular biologists and agronomists, maintain detailed records, and prepare reports for conferences. The role blends on-site laboratory work with field activities and remote data analysis.

Qualifications

• PhD required in a relevant field.
• Minimum 6 years' experience in plant breeding research.
• Experience designing and executing field trials and analyzing genetic data.
• Familiarity with MAS and GS techniques.
• Proficiency with statistical software (SAS, R, GenStat).
• Strong understanding of Eastern Cape crop conditions.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement plant breeding programs for target crops focusing on yield, quality, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.
• Conduct field trials, collect data on performance, and perform statistical analysis of breeding data.
• Use conventional breeding with MAS/GS to accelerate breeding.
• Evaluate germplasm and select promising lines for development.
• Manage seed increase and purification of improved varieties.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, agronomists, and pathologists to integrate multidisciplinary breeding strategies.
• Maintain breeding records, research notes, and databases.
• Stay updated on plant genetics and breeding technologies.
• Prepare research reports and presentations for conferences.

Skills

Plant breeding

Quantitative genetics

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field

Tools

SAS

R

GenStat

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading agricultural research institution dedicated to enhancing crop productivity and resilience, is seeking an innovative Plant Breeder to join their team in **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape**. This role is crucial for developing and improving crop varieties that are adapted to local conditions and resistant to prevalent diseases and environmental stresses. The ideal candidate will have a strong scientific background, hands-on experience in breeding techniques, and a passion for contributing to food security in **South Africa**. You will work collaboratively with a team of scientists and agronomists to advance our client’s breeding programs and deliver superior crop genetics.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement plant breeding programs for target crops, focusing on traits such as yield, quality, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.
• Conduct field trials, collect data on performance characteristics, and perform statistical analysis of breeding data.
• Utilize conventional breeding methods alongside modern biotechnological tools (e.g., marker-assisted selection) to accelerate the breeding process.
• Evaluate germplasm and select promising lines for further development and commercialization.
• Manage seed increase and purification of improved varieties.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, agronomists, and pathologists to integrate multidisciplinary approaches into breeding strategies.
• Maintain accurate breeding records, research notes, and databases.
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in plant genetics, breeding technologies, and agricultural research.
• Prepare research reports, scientific publications, and presentations for conferences.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in plant breeding research and development, with a strong understanding of quantitative genetics.
• Proven experience in designing and executing field trials and analyzing complex genetic data.
• Familiarity with molecular breeding techniques, such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS).
• Excellent knowledge of statistical analysis software (e.g., SAS, R, GenStat).
• Strong understanding of crop physiology and agronomic practices relevant to **Eastern Cape** conditions.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research team setting.
• Experience working with specific crops relevant to the **South African** agricultural sector is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers an attractive salary package, comprehensive health insurance, retirement benefits, research grants, and opportunities for international collaboration and professional development.
• This hybrid role allows for a balance between on-site laboratory and field work in **Port Elizabeth** and remote analysis and reporting.
• Join a respected organization making tangible contributions to agricultural advancement.