Senior Plant Breeder - Drought-Resistant Crop Development

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Generous leave and holidays

Access to world-class facilities

International travel opportunities

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Plant Breeder in Stellenbosch to lead drought-tolerant crop breeding efforts, combining field and lab work in a hybrid model. The candidate should hold a PhD in Plant Breeding or related field with at least eight years of progressive breeding experience and a strong record in molecular techniques and data analysis.

You will mentor junior researchers, collaborate with national and international partners, and contribute to publications and grant proposals while

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of plant breeding research experience with trait development focus.
• Expertise in abiotic stress tolerance, especially drought resistance.
• Proficiency in quantitative genetics, molecular breeding techniques, and bioinformatics.
• Proven leadership of research teams and projects.
• Excellent publication and presentation track record.
• Strong grant writing and project management skills.
• Ability to operate in a hybrid work setup (on-site + remote).
• Experience with Western Cape crops is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead breeding programs to develop drought-tolerant crops.
• Design and execute breeding strategies using conventional and molecular methods.
• Oversee field trials and robust data collection.
• Analyze genetic and phenotypic data to identify promising lines.
• Mentor researchers, technicians, and postgraduate students.
• Collaborate with national and international partners on joint projects.
• Publish scientific papers, write grant proposals, and prepare technical reports.
• Stay abreast of advances in plant genetics, genomics, and breeding technologies.
• Contribute to strategic direction of the institute's breeding research.
• Ensure biosafety compliance and best practices across activities.

Skills

8+ years plant breeding experience

Abiotic stress tolerance

Molecular breeding techniques

Bioinformatics

Leadership / team management

Publications & presentations

Grant writing & project management

Hybrid work adaptability

Education

PhD in Plant Breeding or related field

Tools

Genomic selection methods

Marker-assisted selection

Job description

About the Role Our client, a leading agricultural research institute situated in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, ZA, is looking for a highly experienced Senior Plant Breeder to spearhead crucial research into drought-resistant crop development. This role is vital for addressing the challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity in agriculture. You will lead a team of researchers, manage breeding programs from inception to evaluation, and employ cutting-edge genetic and molecular techniques. This position offers a hybrid work model, blending essential on-site fieldwork and laboratory work at our Stellenbosch facilities with remote data analysis and project management. The ideal candidate will possess a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding or a related field, extensive experience in crop genetics, and a strong commitment to innovation in agriculture. This is an impactful opportunity to contribute to food security and agricultural sustainability in South Africa and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage plant breeding programs focused on developing drought-tolerant crop varieties.
• Design and execute breeding strategies utilizing conventional and modern molecular techniques.
• Oversee field trials and experiments, ensuring robust data collection and analysis.
• Analyze genetic and phenotypic data to identify promising germplasm and breeding lines.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers, technicians, and postgraduate students.
• Collaborate with national and international partners on joint research projects.
• Author scientific publications, grant proposals, and technical reports.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in plant genetics, genomics, and breeding technologies.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the institute's breeding research efforts.
• Ensure adherence to biosafety regulations and best practices in all research activities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in plant breeding research, with a strong focus on trait development.
• Demonstrated expertise in breeding for abiotic stress tolerance, particularly drought resistance.
• Proficiency in quantitative genetics, molecular breeding techniques (e.g., marker-assisted selection, genomic selection), and bioinformatics.
• Proven experience in managing research teams and complex breeding projects.
• Excellent scientific communication skills, including extensive publication and presentation experience.
• Strong grant writing and project management capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment, balancing remote and on-site responsibilities.
• Experience with various crop types relevant to the Western Cape agricultural sector is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership qualities and a collaborative spirit.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and research funding opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement plan with employer match.
• Substantial paid time off and holiday leave.
• Access to world-class research facilities and advanced technologies.
• Opportunities for international travel and collaboration.
• Supportive and stimulating research environment.
• Hybrid work arrangement promoting work-life balance.