Plant Pathologist - Research & Development

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Research funding

Conference support

State-of-the-art facilities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Plant Pathologist to lead R&D initiatives in its agricultural division in Sandton. The role focuses on identifying, diagnosing, and developing strategies to manage plant diseases across crops, with laboratory and field research to protect crop health and productivity.

The successful candidate will analyze pathogen behavior and contribute to sustainable farming practices, collaborating with agronomists and breeders. A Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Plant Pathology, Plant Science, or a related biological science.
• Extensive research experience in plant disease diagnosis and management.
• Excellent data analysis, interpretation, and scientific writing skills.
• Ability to design and manage complex research projects.

Responsibilities

• Identify, diagnose, and characterize plant pathogens affecting crops.
• Develop and implement integrated disease management strategies.
• Design and execute laboratory and field experiments to test treatments.
• Analyze pathogen virulence, host susceptibility, and environmental factors.
• Prepare detailed scientific reports, research papers, and presentations.
• Collaborate with agronomists, breeders, and scientists to integrate disease management solutions.

Skills

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Laboratory techniques

Project management

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in Plant Pathology/Plant Science/related biological science

Tools

Microbiology

Molecular biology

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Plant Pathologist to lead research and development initiatives within their agricultural division in Sandton . This critical role involves identifying, diagnosing, and developing strategies to manage plant diseases affecting various crops. The successful candidate will conduct laboratory and field research, analyze pathogen behavior, and develop innovative solutions to protect crop health and ensure agricultural productivity. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge agricultural science in Gauteng , working with a team dedicated to advancing sustainable farming practices and safeguarding food security. You will be at the forefront of plant disease management.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct research to identify, diagnose, and characterize plant pathogens affecting agricultural crops.
• Develop and implement integrated disease management strategies and control measures.
• Design and execute laboratory and field experiments to test the efficacy of treatments.
• Analyze pathogen virulence, host susceptibility, and environmental factors influencing disease development.
• Prepare detailed scientific reports, research papers, and presentations on findings.
• Collaborate with agronomists, breeders, and other scientists to integrate disease management solutions.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Plant Pathology, Plant Science, or a related biological science.
• Extensive research experience in plant disease diagnosis and management.
• Proficiency in laboratory techniques relevant to microbiology and molecular biology.
• Strong understanding of crop science and agronomy.
• Excellent data analysis, interpretation, and scientific writing skills.
• Ability to design and manage complex research projects.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and research grant opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities.
• Support for attending scientific conferences and publishing research.
• A stimulating research environment with opportunities for collaboration.