Senior Plant Breeder - Cereals and Grains Innovation

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Performance-based bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Plant Breeder to lead cereal and grain development at our Bloemfontein research facility. You will design and drive breeding programs, manage field trials, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties.

The role requires a Ph.D. with 8+ years in plant breeding, expertise in quantitative genetics, and experience with MAS, GS, and high-throughput phenotyping.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years in plant breeding with cereals/grains focus.
• Proven success in developing and releasing improved crop varieties.
• Strong understanding of quantitative genetics, experimental design, and statistics.
• Experience with breeding software and databases (GenStat, SAS, LIMS).
• Experience with genomic tools and high-throughput phenotyping platforms.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work in both laboratory and field settings.
• Experience in Bloemfontein agricultural context is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic breeding programs for key cereal and grain crops.
• Design and manage field trials for germplasm evaluation and selection.
• Utilize MAS, GS, and doubled haploids in breeding programs.
• Conduct genetic analysis and interpret data to identify desirable traits.
• Oversee phenotyping to assess plant performance in Bloemfontein conditions.
• Manage seed increase and release of new improved varieties.
• Collaborate with molecular geneticists, agronomists, and pathologists.
• Stay updated on advances in plant breeding technology.
• Publish research findings and present at conferences.
• Mentor junior breeders and research assistants.

Skills

Plant genetics

Quantitative genetics

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Fieldwork

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding/Genetics/Agronomy

Tools

GenStat

SAS

LIMS

Genomic tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in agricultural biotechnology, is seeking an accomplished Senior Plant Breeder to spearhead innovation in cereal and grain development at its Bloemfontein, Free State research facility.

This pivotal role involves leading the design and execution of breeding programs aimed at developing high-performance crop varieties with enhanced yield, disease resistance, and improved nutritional profiles. The ideal candidate will possess extensive expertise in plant genetics, quantitative genetics, and modern breeding techniques, including marker-assisted selection and genomic prediction. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to food security and agricultural advancement in Bloemfontein, Free State by developing superior germplasm for farmers. You will work within a cutting-edge research environment, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of scientists.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic breeding programs for key cereal and grain crops.
• Design and manage field trials for germplasm evaluation and selection.
• Utilize advanced breeding techniques, including marker-assisted selection (MAS), genomic selection (GS), and doubled haploids.
• Conduct genetic analysis and interpret data to identify desirable traits and parent lines.
• Oversee phenotyping efforts to accurately assess plant performance under various conditions in Bloemfontein, Free State.
• Manage seed increase and release of new improved varieties.
• Collaborate with molecular geneticists, agronomists, and pathologists to integrate diverse scientific expertise.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in plant breeding technology and agricultural research.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Mentor junior breeders and research assistants.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in plant breeding, with a significant focus on cereals or grains.
• Demonstrated success in developing and releasing improved crop varieties.
• Strong understanding of quantitative genetics, experimental design, and statistical analysis.
• Proficiency with breeding software and databases (e.g., GenStat, SAS, LIMS).
• Experience with genomic tools and high-throughput phenotyping platforms.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in both laboratory and field settings.
• Experience in the Bloemfontein, Free State agricultural context is advantageous.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement contributions, and performance-based bonuses. We offer excellent opportunities for career advancement, professional development, and the chance to contribute to significant advancements in global agriculture. Join a dynamic team dedicated to shaping the future of food production.