Plant Breeding Scientist: Drive Crop Innovation & Impact

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Pension fund

Annual leave & study leave

Job summary

Placements24 invites applications for an Agricultural Research Scientist specializing in Plant Breeding to join a leading agricultural research institution in Gauteng. The role focuses on developing high-yield, disease-resistant crop varieties, advancing food security and value for farmers.

The candidate will lead field trials, design breeding strategies, analyze phenotypic and genotypic data, and publish findings while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. A Ph.D.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on plant breeding research experience in South Africa.
• Expertise in quantitative genetics, experimental design, and field-trial data analysis.
• Proficiency in molecular breeding techniques and bioinformatics tools.
• Strong research output with publication record.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage plant breeding programs for key crops focusing on yield, quality, and disease resistance.
• Conduct field trials to evaluate breeding lines and select superior genotypes.
• Utilize MAS and molecular tools to accelerate breeding.
• Perform crosses and hybridizations per breeding schemes.
• Manage seed increase and multiplication for advanced lines.
• Analyze phenotypic and genotypic data using statistics and bioinformatics.
• Collaborate with scientists, agronomists, and extension specialists to transfer technologies to farmers.
• Prepare proposals, secure funding, and manage budgets.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Ensure biosafety and ethical research standards.

Skills

Plant Breeding

Quantitative Genetics

Experimental Design

Statistical Analysis

Molecular Breeding

Bioinformatics

Project Management

Communication

Field Trials

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding

Tools

Bioinformatics software

Statistical software

Job description

Placements24 invites applications for an Agricultural Research Scientist specializing in Plant Breeding to join a leading agricultural research institution in Gauteng. The role focuses on developing high-yield, disease-resistant crop varieties, advancing food security and value for farmers.

The candidate will lead field trials, design breeding strategies, analyze phenotypic and genotypic data, and publish findings while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. A Ph.D.