Starke Ayres: Junior Plant Breeder

Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for a Junior Plant Breeder for Zucchini, based in Kempton Park.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

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• Manage and execute a crop breeding programme aligned with business and market objectives.
  
• Develop, evaluate, and maintain germplasm and breeding populations.
  
• Select and develop inbred lines, varieties, and hybrid combinations with commercial potential.
  
• Collaborate with pathology, biotechnology, production, and marketing teams to achieve breeding objectives.
  
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor breeding activities, ensuring quality standards and timelines are met.
  
• Design, establish, and evaluate field trials both on-station and at external trial sites.
  
• Analyse, interpret, and present breeding and trial data to support decision-making.
  
• Maintain accurate breeding records, databases, and programme documentation.
  
• Ensure availability of seed, germplasm, and trial materials required for breeding activities.
  
• Coordinate trial planting, harvesting, data collection, and reporting processes.
  
• Identify opportunities to improve breeding methods, processes, and resource utilization.
  
• Monitor industry trends, market requirements, and emerging technologies relevant to crop improvement.
  
• Participate in research collaborations, industry events, field days, and professional development activities.
  
• Provide technical support and contribute to crop-related problem-solving initiatives.
  
• Work closely with farm managers, supervisors, and research teams to ensure successful programme execution.
  

REQUIREMENTS

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• B.Sc (Plant Breeding/Genetics) Essential
  
• 1-3 years experience