Senior Plant Breeder - Field Crops Genetic Improvement

Placements24; Pretoria; Híbrido; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 800 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Performance bonuses

Professional development

Conference attendance

Home office stipend

Travel reimbursements

Resumo da oferta

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Plant Breeder for a Pretoria-based role focused on field crops genetic improvement. You will lead breeding programs, integrate MAS and GS tools, and guide a team across germplasm, trials, and data analysis to deliver high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties for South Africa.

The position offers remote-first work within South Africa, travel to research sites as needed, collaboration with agronomists and scientists, and opportunities for professional development

Qualificações

• PhD in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or related field.
• 7+ years in plant breeding with field crops and quantitative genetics.
• Experience managing large breeding programs and trial data analysis.
• Expertise in MAS and GS molecular breeding.

Responsabilidades

• Design and run breeding programs for key field crops targeting yield and disease resistance.
• Manage diverse germplasm, selecting superior lines for advancement.
• Oversee field trials, data collection, and statistical analysis of trial data.
• Apply MAS and GS to accelerate breeding progress.
• Collaborate with agronomists, pathologists and scientists on strategy.
• Lead and mentor breeders, technicians and RAs.
• Ensure breeding data integrity and IP compliance.
• Develop new breeding technologies and methods.
• Prepare technical reports, publications, and presentations.

Conhecimentos

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Independent worker

Collaboration

Formação académica

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

Ferramentas

MAS

GS

Plant breeding software

Germplasm databases

Descrição da oferta de emprego

About the Role

Our client, a leading agricultural innovation company based in Pretoria, Gauteng, is seeking an accomplished Senior Plant Breeder to lead their field crops genetic improvement program. This strategic role is central to developing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient crop varieties tailored for the South African agricultural sector. The Senior Plant Breeder will manage all phases of the breeding cycle, from germplasm evaluation and crossing to selection and performance testing, utilizing advanced molecular breeding techniques alongside traditional methods. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on crop productivity and food security in the region, working with a dedicated team focused on cutting‑edge agricultural science. The ideal candidate will possess a strong scientific background and a passion for developing improved crop solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive plant breeding programs for key field crops, focusing on traits such as yield, quality, disease resistance, and abiotic stress tolerance.
• Manage and evaluate diverse germplasm collections, identifying superior lines for advanced breeding.
• Oversee field trials, data collection, and statistical analysis to assess the performance of advanced breeding lines.
• Utilize molecular breeding tools, including marker-assisted selection (MAS) and genomic selection (GS), to accelerate the breeding process.
• Collaborate with agronomists, pathologists, and other scientists to integrate diverse knowledge into breeding strategies.
• Lead and mentor a team of plant breeders, technicians, and research assistants.
• Ensure compliance with intellectual property regulations and manage breeding data integrity.
• Contribute to the development of new breeding technologies and methodologies.
• Prepare technical reports, research publications, and presentations for scientific and industry audiences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in plant breeding, with a strong focus on field crops and quantitative genetics.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale breeding programs and conducting advanced statistical analysis of field trial data.
• Demonstrated expertise in utilizing molecular breeding techniques (e.g., MAS, GS).
• Strong understanding of crop physiology, pathology, and agronomy relevant to South African agriculture.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote research environment, with occasional travel for field assessments as needed.
• Experience with plant breeding software and databases.
• Knowledge of regulatory processes for new crop varieties is an advantage.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, a generous retirement savings plan, and performance-based bonuses. This role comes with significant opportunities for professional development, including attending international conferences and participating in collaborative research projects. Employees will have access to advanced breeding technologies and resources and will be part of a mission-driven organization focused on advancing agricultural science. As this is a remote-first role, the candidate will benefit from the flexibility of working from anywhere within South Africa, with stipends for home office setup and occasional travel reimbursements for necessary field visits, particularly to research sites near Pretoria.