Research & Development Technician

United Exports; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural company in Paarl seeks an R&D Technician to support blueberry and strawberry trials. Ideal candidates will have a postgraduate degree in Agriculture and at least 2 years' experience in the fruit industry, specifically with berry crops. This role involves thorough data collection, quality assessments, and collaboration with local and international teams. Join us to impact berry production and agricultural innovation through impactful research projects.

Benefits

Opportunities to attend conferences and symposiums

Collaboration with international teams

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the fruit industry, specifically in berry crop trials.
• Strong knowledge of pre- and post-harvest physiology and fruit quality processes.
• Valid driver’s license and passport.

Responsibilities

• Support research and development trials for blueberries and strawberries.
• Conduct pre-harvest and post-harvest fruit trials.
• Ensure robust data collection and provide quality evaluations.
• Collaborate with teams to present findings and conduct assessments.

Skills

Knowledge of horticultural practices

Research & development experience

Data analysis and interpretation skills

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving ability

Education

Postgraduate degree in Agriculture related field

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

The R&D Technician will support research and development trials and projects focused on blueberry pre‑and post‑harvest trials, and strawberry variety performance trials. This role involves conducting pre‑harvest field trials and post‑harvest fruit trials and quality assessments, ensuring robust data collection to guide commercial decisions. The technician will collaborate with the agronomy team, farms, research partners, and international teams, contributing to innovation in berry production and pre‑and post‑harvest management.

Key Performance Outputs

• Effective management of trials for blueberry pre‑ and post‑harvest quality.
• Integrity and reliability of trial data (able to withstand scrutiny).
• Timely and accurate quality evaluations and data analysis.
• Clear, structured reporting with ROI analysis for commercial implementation.
• Active participation in industry meetings, symposiums, and conferences.
• Continuous research into new products, technologies, and processes for future growth.

Blueberry Trials & Research

• Develop and implement trial protocols.
• Collect, validate, and analyse trial data.
• Prepare and present findings to R&D and management teams.
• Conduct financial impact assessments of successful trials.
• Investigate innovative solutions and future developments.

Strawberry Project

• Establish and manage strawberry trial blocks with defined objectives (e.g., harvest windows).
• Ensure agronomic practices maintain trial integrity.
• Record and monitor growth, yield, pest/disease incidence, and environmental conditions.
• Conduct fruit quality evaluations (firmness, Brix, shelf‑life, sensory attributes).
• Perform storage and transport simulations for postharvest performance.
• Document postharvest quality, fungal incidence, and losses.
• Maintain databases for long‑term performance tracking and variety benchmarking.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Postgraduate degree in Agriculture (Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Plant Science, Quality, Disease Management, or related field).
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the fruit industry.
• Experience in berry crop trials (blueberries and/or strawberries preferred).
• Valid driver’s license and passport.

Functional / Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of horticultural practices, especially blueberries.
• Expertise in pre‑and post‑harvest physiology and fruit quality processes.
• Experience in R&D, handling large datasets, analysing and interpreting results.
• Ability to summarise and report trials in various formats.
• Good understanding of budgets and financial management.
• Advanced computer literacy (MS Office: Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Leadership / Behavioural Skills

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Strong numerical and statistical interpretation skills.
• Proactive, innovative thinker with problem‑solving ability.
• Comfortable engaging with all levels of stakeholders, from farm teams to executives.
• Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and results‑driven.
• Flexible and willing to travel domestically and internationally.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a forward‑thinking company shaping the future of berry production.
• Work on impactful trials that deliver real commercial value.
• Collaborate with local and international teams, research partners, and industry experts.
• Opportunity to attend conferences and symposiums, staying at the forefront of agricultural innovation.

Ready To Make An Impact?

If you’re passionate about agricultural innovation, thrive in a research‑driven environment, and want to contribute to shaping the future of berry production, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply Now and join us in delivering excellence from farm to table.