Senior Plant Breeder

Placements24; East London; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, retirement, and life insurance

Generous paid time off

Access to world-class facilities

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Plant Breeder to lead a cutting-edge breeding program at our East London research farm, focusing on high-yield, disease-resistant, climate-resilient varieties for local and international markets.

You will manage germplasm evaluation, cross-pollination, field trials, and the release of new varieties, while mentoring breeders and technicians and collaborating with related departments to ensure scientific integrity and commercial viability.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy or closely related field.
• 10+ years of progressive plant breeding R&D experience.
• Proven success in developing and releasing new crop varieties.
• Expertise in quantitative genetics and molecular breeding techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive plant breeding programs for key crop species.
• Identify and evaluate superior germplasm for yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.
• Utilize MAS and GS methodologies in breeding programs.
• Plan and conduct multi-location field trials to assess advanced lines.
• Analyze breeding data with statistical tools to guide decisions.
• Lead seed production, inventory, and quality control for nurseries and trials.
• Supervise a team of breeders, technicians, and research assistants.
• Collaborate with agronomy, pathology, marketing and external partners.
• Prepare technical reports, publications, and conference presentations.
• Oversee variety registration and release processes.

Skills

Leadership

Genetics

Molecular breeding

Statistics

Field trials

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding/Genetics/Agronomy

Tools

SAS

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading agricultural research institution focused on crop improvement, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Plant Breeder for their East London, Eastern Cape research farm. This pivotal role involves leading the development of new, high-performing crop varieties adapted to local and international markets, with a strong emphasis on yield, disease resistance, and climate resilience. The Senior Plant Breeder will manage all stages of the breeding program, from germplasm evaluation and cross‑pollination to field trials and variety release. This position requires a deep understanding of genetics, molecular breeding techniques, and statistical analysis, coupled with extensive field experience. We are looking for an innovative and strategic leader who can guide a team of researchers and technicians, foster collaborations, and ensure the scientific integrity and commercial viability of breeding projects. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successfully developing and releasing new crop varieties. This role is critical to advancing agricultural productivity and food security in the region and beyond. The work will be primarily on‑site, involving extensive time in laboratories and field research plots.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive plant breeding programs for key crop species.
• Identify and evaluate superior germplasm for desired traits such as yield, quality, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.
• Utilize advanced breeding methodologies, including marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS).
• Plan and conduct multi‑location field trials to assess the performance of advanced breeding lines.
• Analyze breeding data using appropriate statistical software and interpret results to make informed decisions.
• Manage seed production, inventory, and quality control for breeding nurseries and trials.
• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of plant breeders, technicians, and research assistants.
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., agronomy, pathology, marketing) and external partners to ensure program objectives are met.
• Prepare technical reports, scientific publications, and presentations for conferences.
• Oversee the process of variety registration and release.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in plant breeding research and development.
• Demonstrated success in developing and releasing new crop varieties.
• Expertise in quantitative genetics, molecular breeding techniques, and statistical analysis (SAS, R).
• Strong experience with field trial design, data collection, and interpretation.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including scientific writing.
• Ability to secure competitive research grants is a plus.
• Familiarity with relevant crop species and agricultural practices in South Africa.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and life insurance benefits.
• Generous paid time off and professional development opportunities.
• Access to world‑class research facilities and cutting‑edge technology.
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on agricultural innovation.
• Relocation assistance may be provided.