Plant Breeder: High-Yield Grain Varieties (Hybrid)

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Retirement fund contributions

Performance-based bonuses

Hybrid/remote data analysis and field-

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Plant Breeder based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, for leading breeding programs from crosses to commercial release. The role involves significant fieldwork, data analysis, and hybrid work with strategic planning and collaboration across science teams.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding or a related field, with at least five years of field-crop breeding experience and a strong track record in releasing improved varieties.

Qualifications

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to design and evaluate breeding strategies.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities.
• Experience with field trials and data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute breeding programs for target grain crops to improve yield and stress tolerance.
• Conduct field trials, manage nurseries, and evaluate germplasm under diverse conditions.
• Utilize molecular breeding tools, including MAS and GS.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret field trial data with statistical software.
• Make informed decisions on parent selection, crossing strategies, and line advancement.
• Develop and maintain detailed records of breeding populations and trial results.
• Collaborate with pathologists, entomologists, and agronomists on traits and disease resistance.
• Prepare technical reports and breeding updates for management and stakeholders.
• Stay updated on advances in plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnology.

Skills

Analytical

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Communication

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding/Genetics/Agronomy

Tools

SAS

R

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an innovative Plant Breeder based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, for leading breeding programs from crosses to commercial release. The role involves significant fieldwork, data analysis, and hybrid work with strategic planning and collaboration across science teams.

The ideal candidate holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding or a related field, with at least five years of field-crop breeding experience and a strong track record in releasing improved varieties.