PLANT BREEDER

Job Description:

Plant breeders (also known as geneticists) undertake scientific research into plant and crop-based agriculture with the aim of improving plant breeding techniques and developing new strains of crops:

Main activities under this Job includes but not limited to;

• Analyze the current performance of plants/crops and establish the challenges faced by farmers
• Suggest plant/seed characteristics for improvement to provide solutions to the challenges and enhance the enterprise viability of the farmer.
• Plan and carry out breeding studies to develop and improve existing varieties of crops: Improves specific characteristics, such as yield, size, quality, maturity, and resistance to frost, drought, disease, and insect pests in plants, utilizing principles of genetics and knowledge of plant growth.
• Produce research aims and objectives, and predict the cost of the work
• Outline the research methods and techniques for improving plant breeding
• Develop new varieties and select the most desirable plants for crossing.
• Identify and select plants exhibiting desirable traits, based on natural genetic variation
• Breeds plants, using methods such as inbreeding, crossbreeding, backcrossing, outcrossing, mutating, or interspecific hybridization and selection.
• Analyze and scientifically assess plant breeding in laboratory and field trials and select the best varieties
• Select progeny with the desired characteristics and continue the breeding and selection process to reach desired objectives.
• Cross plants to produce new breeding material for field and glasshouse trials
• Multiply up and produce virus-free plants
• Maintain detailed records throughout the research and development cycle
• Manage, support, and train technical and field staff
• Keep up to date in the fast-moving area of science and translate ideas from scientific literature into new approaches to breeding problems
• Monitor the activities of competitors (in commercial settings) and develop a product market profile
• Respond to inquiries from farmers, agronomists, and other professionals
• Write and present work to other scientists and publish scientific findings
• Liaise with and visit other scientists, commercial breeders, and funding bodies.
• Facilitate field trials
• Provide scientific proof of the research findings to support the registration and release of new varieties with the appropriate authorities such as the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) and Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI).
• Undertake any other duties that from time to time be assigned by Management
• Support Seed Trials and Seed Multiplication in and beyond the regional markets

Minimum Qualification

• University Degree in Plant breeding or any related equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a similar position.