Senior Plant Breeder - Genomics, Field Trials & Impact

Placements24; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Research facilities

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Plant Breeder to lead a cutting-edge agricultural research team in Rustenburg. The role centers on designing breeding programs for high-yield, disease-resistant crops, while overseeing field trials and integrating genomic tools to accelerate improvement.

The candidate will guide data-driven decision making, collaborate with agronomists and pathologists, and mentor junior staff, ensuring rigorous record-keeping and reporting to advance crop quality and food security.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Agronomy, or related agricultural science field.
• Minimum of 6 years progressive experience in plant breeding and crop improvement.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative genetics, experimental design, and statistical analysis of field data.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead breeding programs for crops, focusing on yield, disease resistance, and climate adaptability.
• Manage and analyze data from field trials, greenhouse experiments, and lab analyses to evaluate germplasm performance.
• Apply marker-assisted selection and genomic selection to improve breeding efficiency.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers, technicians, and field staff.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

Experimental design

Education

Ph.D. in Plant Breeding/Genetics/Agronomy

Tools

Molecular markers

Job description

Placements24 seeks a Senior Plant Breeder to lead a cutting-edge agricultural research team in Rustenburg. The role centers on designing breeding programs for high-yield, disease-resistant crops, while overseeing field trials and integrating genomic tools to accelerate improvement.

The candidate will guide data-driven decision making, collaborate with agronomists and pathologists, and mentor junior staff, ensuring rigorous record-keeping and reporting to advance crop quality and food security.