Research Associate at DuPont

Job Description

Want to make a difference in our world by meeting the challenges of feeding and powering a growing planet?

Enjoy a challenging and fulfilling career with an international employer. Pioneer Hi-Bred International has business operations in more than 90 countries, and is committed to increasing food production with high quality Pioneer brand products and agronomic knowledge that maximizes agricultural productivity. By combining conventional and advanced plant genetics, Pioneer is delivering solutions to help meet the needs of a growing population’s demand for agricultural seed.

Typical Responsibilities

• Data management, field layout, mapping and Technical workflow optimization for inbred line management
• Support maize breeding programs, maintains parental material nurseries and coordinates parent experiments across Eastern, Southern and Central Africa
• Inventory management: Ensure inventory is managed, targeted quantities of seed according to metrics is produced, stored and discarded. Monitoring and management of insect storage pests
• Reporting: Continuous reporting and consulting on programme status. Yearly reporting on status of targeted metrics. Interaction with Integrated Operations and Parent Seed Groups
• Implement, evaluate and train RMS quality management processes in the team
• Commitment to the core values of Ethics, Safety, Environmental stewardship and Respect for people
• Remains current on new, technology by participating in career development training, meetings and activities
• Confers with supervisor on unusual matters
• Confers with Research Scientists, Integrated Operations and Parent Seed
• Supervises work of seasonal employees and occasionally regular employees. This includes assigning, checking, correcting, demonstrating procedures/processes, and providing input on performance evaluation.
• Works on problems that are of limited complexity
• Analysis of data or situation requires review of identifiable factors.
• Exercises limited independent judgment within well-defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate actions
• Strong numerical skills, attention to detail, work in a bilingual environment (English and Zulu)

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• B.Sc. + 5 years’ experience (Preferably M.Sc. + 2 years’ experience)
• Agriculture, Plant breeding/Genetics, Agronomy, Plant Pathology, Physiology, Soil Science
• Drivers licence, working knowledge of MS Office suite
• 2 to 5 years’ experience in maize seed production or plant breeding/molecular biology
• Experience in Agriculture