Remote Senior Plant Breeder - Crop Improvement Specialist

Placements24; Rustenburg; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-friendly role

Home office allowance

Global health insurance

Flexible hours

Travel opportunities

Research resources access

Professional development funding

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Plant Breeder to lead breeding programs for major crops in a fully remote role. You will design MAS and GS‑based strategies, manage germplasm, analyze phenotypic and genotypic data, and publish results with partners worldwide.

You will collaborate across disciplines, mentor staff, and contribute to global food security while enjoying the flexibility of remote work and a strong emphasis on work‑life balance.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Science or closely related field.
• Minimum 8 years hands-on plant breeding experience with quantitative genetics.
• Proven success in developing and releasing improved crop varieties.
• Expertise in MAS, GS and genotyping techniques.
• Excellent scientific writing and remote collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines remotely.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of breeding programs for crop improvement.
• Utilize MAS and GS to accelerate selection and development.
• Manage germplasm collections and identify lines for advancement.
• Analyze phenotypic and genotypic data to guide decisions.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, agronomists and pathologists.
• Publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Mentor junior breeders and research staff.
• Stay current with advances in genetics and biotechnology.
• Contribute to IP development for novel crop varieties.

Skills

Quantitative genetics

Molecular breeding

Genotyping

Scientific writing

Remote collaboration

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding/Genetics/Plant Science

Tools

R

SAS

Bioinformatics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in agricultural innovation, is seeking an accomplished Senior Plant Breeder to join their forward-thinking research and development team. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will be instrumental in the development of new, high-performing crop varieties that address critical global food security challenges, enhance nutritional value, and improve resilience to environmental stressors. The role demands a deep understanding of genetics, molecular biology, and quantitative genetics, applied to breeding programs for key agricultural crops. You will lead significant breeding projects, manage germplasm resources, and collaborate with international research partners. This is an opportunity to shape the future of agriculture from your home office, contributing to a sustainable and productive global food system. Our client is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive remote work environment, where innovation thrives and scientific contributions are highly valued. This role offers the chance to work on cutting-edge research, influencing crop development on a massive scale, all while enjoying the flexibility of a remote-first setup.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of breeding programs for targeted crop improvement, focusing on traits such as yield, disease resistance, and quality.
• Utilize advanced breeding methodologies, including marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS).
• Manage and evaluate diverse germplasm collections, identifying promising lines for further development.
• Analyze phenotypic and genotypic data to make informed selection decisions.
• Collaborate with molecular biologists, agronomists, and pathologists to integrate multi-disciplinary approaches.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at international scientific conferences.
• Mentor junior breeders and research staff, fostering their scientific and professional development.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in plant breeding, genetics, and agricultural biotechnology.
• Contribute to patent applications and intellectual property development for novel crop varieties.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Plant Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in plant breeding, with a strong focus on quantitative genetics and breeding program management.
• Demonstrated success in developing and releasing improved crop varieties.
• Expertise in statistical analysis software (e.g., R, SAS) and bioinformatics tools.
• Proven experience with molecular breeding techniques (e.g., MAS, GS, genotyping).
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills, essential for remote collaboration and publication.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects concurrently, and meet strict deadlines in a remote setting.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a creative approach to breeding challenges.
• Experience with data management for large-scale field trials and genomic data is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and bonus structure, reflecting the seniority and remote nature of the role.
• Home office setup allowance and ongoing technology support.
• Comprehensive global health insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Opportunities for travel to collaborate with global teams and attend key industry events.
• Access to world-class computational resources and databases.
• Professional development funding for courses, workshops, and conferences.
• Significant impact on global agriculture and food security through innovative breeding.