Senior Plant Breeder, Cereals & Grains — Hybrid

Placements24; Polokwane; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package

Performance-based bonuses

Health insurance

Retirement fund

Professional development & intl. coll.

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Plant Breeder to lead our cereal and grain breeding program in Polokwane, Limpopo. The role focuses on developing high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties suited to local conditions and food security goals.

You will drive germplasm evaluation, marker-assisted selection, multi-location trials, and collaboration with agronomists and regulatory bodies. A PhD and 8+ years in cereals breeding are required; travel domestically and internationally is expected.

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or related field.
• At least 8 years in crop plant breeding, cereals/grains focus.
• Proficiency in quantitative genetics, experimental design, and statistics (SAS, R).
• Experience with molecular breeding techniques and genomic tools.
• Proven track record of developing and releasing new varieties.
• Strong leadership and team management.
• Excellent scientific communication skills.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic breeding programs for key cereal and grain crops relevant to the South African market.
• Manage and evaluate diverse germplasm collections to identify desirable traits.
• Utilize quantitative genetics and molecular breeding techniques (e.g., marker-assisted selection) to accelerate breeding progress.
• Design, implement, and manage multi-location field trials to assess new varieties.
• Analyze trial data using statistical software to identify superior genotypes and guide selection decisions.
• Collaborate with agronomists, pathologists, and entomologists to ensure integrated breeding approaches.
• Supervise and mentor junior plant breeders and technical staff.
• Contribute to the release and commercialization of new, improved crop varieties.
• Stay abreast of scientific advancements and industry trends in plant breeding and genetics.
• Manage breeding budgets and resources effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Scientific communication

Travel willingness

Statistical analysis

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or related field

Tools

SAS

R

Genomic tools

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Plant Breeder to lead our cereal and grain breeding program in Polokwane, Limpopo. The role focuses on developing high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties suited to local conditions and food security goals.

You will drive germplasm evaluation, marker-assisted selection, multi-location trials, and collaboration with agronomists and regulatory bodies. A PhD and 8+ years in cereals breeding are required; travel domestically and internationally is expected.