Remote Plant Breeding Specialist - Crop Improvement

Placements24; Soweto; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Paid time off

Global collaboration

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Plant Breeding Specialist to join its global R&D team. You will design breeding programs, evaluate germplasm, and apply MAS and GS to improve crops for diverse environments.

This fully remote role requires strong genetics knowledge, proficiency with SAS, R, GenStat, and excellent collaboration across international teams to advance varieties from research to commercialization.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field with crop-improvement focus.
• Minimum of 5 years of practical plant breeding experience, preferably with field crops.
• Proficiency in plant breeding software and statistical analysis packages (e.g., SAS, R, GenStat).
• Experience with molecular marker technologies and bioinformatics tools is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute breeding programs to develop new crop varieties with desired traits.
• Evaluate germplasm and experimental lines using phenotyping and genotypic data.
• Apply MAS and GS to identify superior lines and inform selections.
• Collaborate with global teams and publish results.

Skills

Genetics

Plant Breeding

Molecular Markers

Data Analysis

Statistical Tools

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding

Master's in related field

Tools

SAS

R

GenStat

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an international leader in agricultural innovation, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Remote Plant Breeding Specialist to join their global research and development team. This position is fully remote, allowing you to contribute from anywhere in the world. You will play a key role in developing superior crop varieties with enhanced yield, resilience, nutritional value, and disease resistance, tailored for diverse agricultural environments. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in genetics, plant breeding methodologies, molecular markers, and data analysis. You will be involved in designing breeding programs, evaluating germplasm, selecting promising lines, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance new varieties from research to commercialization. This role requires a scientific mindset, exceptional analytical abilities, and effective communication within a virtual team setting. Your work will contribute significantly to global food security and sustainable agriculture by improving the performance of essential food crops. We are looking for an innovative individual passionate about the future of crop improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Design and execute plant breeding programs to develop new crop varieties with desired traits. Evaluate germplasm and experimental lines using advanced phenotyping and genotypic data. Apply statistical methods and breeding software to analyze trial data and identify superior selections. Utilize molecular breeding techniques, including marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS). Collaborate with geneticists, agronomists, pathologists, and biotechnologists across global teams. Manage breeding nurseries and field trials remotely, ensuring data integrity. Contribute to the development and implementation of breeding strategies and roadmaps. Prepare technical reports, research proposals, and scientific publications. Stay abreast of the latest advancements in plant breeding, genetics, and agricultural biotechnology. Ensure compliance with intellectual property regulations and biosafety guidelines.

Requirements

Ph.D. or Master's degree in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field with a specialization in crop improvement. Minimum of 5 years of experience in practical plant breeding, preferably with field crop experience. Strong knowledge of quantitative genetics, breeding methodologies, and experimental design. Proficiency in plant breeding software and statistical analysis packages (e.g., SAS, R, GenStat). Experience with molecular marker technologies and bioinformatics tools is highly desirable. Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote environment. Familiarity with global agricultural trends and crop improvement challenges. Demonstrated ability to interpret and present complex scientific data. Passion for innovation and contribution to sustainable agriculture.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Employees receive excellent health, dental, and vision insurance coverage. A generous retirement savings plan is provided. Continuous professional development opportunities, including online courses, webinars, and access to scientific literature, are supported. You will be part of a dynamic, international team of experts driving agricultural innovation. This role offers significant autonomy and the flexibility to work from your preferred location. Opportunities for career advancement within a leading global agricultural company are available. Generous paid time off and holidays are provided. We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being.