Senior Research Scientist - Plant Biotechnology

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development

Generous leave

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch is seeking a Senior Research Scientist specialized in Plant Biotechnology to lead an innovative R&D team. You will drive research projects that develop improved crop varieties and novel biotechnological solutions, applying advanced molecular techniques and collaborating with breeders to translate discoveries into breeding programs.

You will mentor junior researchers, author scientific reports, present findings at conferences, and contribute to peer‑reviewed

Qualifications

• PhD in Plant Biotechnology or related field.
• At least 6 years in plant science focusing on genetic modification and molecular breeding.
• Expertise in plant transformation, CRISPR/Cas9, and qPCR.
• Experience with plant bioinformatics analysis.
• Strong analytical and scientific communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments in plant molecular biology, genetics, and tissue culture.
• Develop and optimize protocols for gene editing, transformation, and marker analysis in key crop species.
• Analyze genomic and transcriptomic data to identify genes related to desirable traits.
• Collaborate with plant breeders and agronomists to integrate biotechnological advances into breeding programs.
• Author scientific reports, present findings at conferences, and contribute to peer‑reviewed publications.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and technical staff.

Skills

Plant Biotechnology

Genetics

Molecular biology

CRISPR/Cas9

qPCR

Bioinformatics

Technical leadership

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Plant Biotechnology or related field

Tools

CRISPR/Cas9 techniques

qPCR

Bioinformatics tools

Tissue culture

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Senior Research Scientist with a specialization in Plant Biotechnology to join their innovative research team in Stellenbosch . This role is pivotal in advancing agricultural science through the development of improved crop varieties and novel biotechnological solutions. You will lead research projects, apply advanced molecular techniques, and contribute to the company's pipeline of innovative products. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of plant genetics and molecular biology, thrives in a collaborative R&D setting, and is passionate about leveraging biotechnology to address global agricultural challenges from their base in Stellenbosch .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and conduct research experiments in plant molecular biology, genetic engineering, and tissue culture.
• Develop and optimize protocols for gene editing, transformation, and molecular marker analysis in key crop species.
• Analyze complex genomic and transcriptomic data to identify genes related to desirable traits.
• Collaborate with plant breeders and agronomists to integrate biotechnological advancements into breeding programs.
• Author scientific reports, present findings at conferences, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and technical staff involved in plant biotechnology projects.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology , Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related agricultural science field.
• Minimum of 6 years of research experience in plant science, with a focus on genetic modification and molecular breeding.
• Proven expertise in plant transformation techniques, CRISPR/Cas9, and quantitative PCR (qPCR).
• Experience with bioinformatics tools for analyzing plant genomic data.
• Strong understanding of plant physiology and development.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional development, including workshops and international conferences.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Access to state-of-the-art greenhouses and laboratory facilities in Stellenbosch .
• A stimulating, collaborative, and forward-thinking work environment.