Remote Plant Geneticist - Crop Improvement

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package and bonuses

Remote work stipend

Equipment and software licenses

Career development opportunities

Flexible hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Plant Geneticist to join a fully remote research team focused on advancing agricultural genetics. The role involves designing molecular genetics experiments, analyzing large genomic datasets, and developing MAS strategies for crop improvement, all from a home office.

The candidate should have a PhD with at least 5 years of post-doctoral experience, strong quantitative genetics expertise, and proficiency in bioinformatics and gene editing.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Genetics, Molecular Biology, Genomics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years of post-doctoral research in plant genetics with a strong publication record.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics, sequencing data analysis, and statistical genetics.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct molecular genetics experiments to identify genes for key crop traits.
• Analyze large genomic and transcriptomic datasets using bioinformatics tools and statistics.
• Develop MAS strategies for crop improvement programs.
• Utilize gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) for precise trait modification.
• Collaborate with remote breeders, agronomists, and data scientists to integrate genetic insights into breeding pipelines.
• Prepare detailed scientific reports, research proposals, and manuscripts for publication.
• Present research findings at virtual conferences and internal meetings.
• Contribute to patent applications and protect intellectual property.
• Stay current with advancements in plant genetics and biotechnology.
• Maintain documentation in a centralized digital repository.

Skills

Quantitative genetics

Population genetics

Marker-assisted breeding

Bioinformatics

Programming (R/Python)

NGS data analysis

Gene editing

Independent remote work

Science communication

Education

PhD in Plant Genetics or related

Tools

CRISPR design tools

BLAST

Genomic data analysis software

R

Python

Job description

About the Role

Our client is pioneering advancements in agricultural genetics and is seeking a highly skilled Plant Geneticist to join their fully remote research team. This position offers an exceptional opportunity for a motivated scientist to contribute to the development of superior crop varieties from the comfort of their own home office. The Remote Plant Geneticist will focus on identifying and characterizing genes associated with desirable traits such as disease resistance, yield potential, and environmental stress tolerance. Utilizing advanced molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics tools, you will design and execute experiments, analyze complex genetic data, and contribute to our client's intellectual property portfolio. This role demands a strong understanding of Mendelian and quantitative genetics, molecular breeding strategies, and gene editing technologies. You will collaborate virtually with a global team of researchers, breeders, and data scientists. We are committed to fostering a remote-first culture that prioritizes flexibility, innovation, and scientific excellence. This is a unique chance to be at the forefront of agricultural innovation without the need for relocation.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct molecular genetics experiments to identify and validate genes related to key crop traits.
• Analyze large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets using bioinformatics tools and statistical methods.
• Develop and implement marker-assisted selection (MAS) strategies for crop improvement programs.
• Utilize modern gene editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) for precise trait modification.
• Collaborate effectively with remote breeders, agronomists, and data scientists to integrate genetic insights into breeding pipelines.
• Prepare detailed scientific reports, research proposals, and manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research findings at virtual scientific conferences and internal meetings.
• Contribute to the development of patent applications and protect intellectual property.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in plant genetics, genomics, and biotechnology.
• Maintain excellent documentation of experiments, data, and results in a centralized digital repository.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Plant Genetics, Molecular Biology, Genomics, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience in plant genetics, with a strong publication record.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative genetics, population genetics, and marker-assisted breeding.
• Proficiency in bioinformatics tools and programming languages (e.g., R, Python, BLAST).
• Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis.
• Familiarity with gene editing technologies and their application in crop improvement.
• Proven ability to design and execute complex genetic experiments.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts clearly.
• Self-motivated with a proven ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous remote work stipend for home office setup and internet.
• Company-provided laptop and necessary software licenses.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.
• Access to cutting-edge research tools and resources.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate different time zones.
• Contribution to impactful research in sustainable agriculture.
• 401(k) or equivalent retirement plan with employer match.
• A supportive and intellectually stimulating virtual work environment.