Rice Breeder (Manager) at Olam Nigeria Limited

Job Description

The Rice Breeder, under immediate supervision of the General Manager/Business head. H/She will undertake activities related to the breeding pipelines development for Olam Rice Farm.

The successful candidate will:

• Develop high yielding varieties corresponding to desired product profiles, in close collaboration with farm and mill teams, by combining good agronomic traits, desirable grain quality, and tolerance/resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses through conventional breeding approach.
• Plans and carries out breeding studies to develop and improve varieties of Rice: Improves specific characteristics, such as yield, grain quality, maturity, and resistance to drought, disease and insect pests in plants, utilizing principles of genetics and knowledge of plant growth.
• Produce pure parental lines, breeder’s and foundation seed for multiplication.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders (Private /Public sectors) for new germplasm introduction and breeding collaborations.
• Breeds rice, using methods such as germplasm introduction, , hybridization, ,, as well as hybrid rice breeding.
• Select progeny having desired characteristics and continues advancing breeding pipelines and selection process to reach desired lines.
• Lead the testing of advanced breeding lines developed at inhouse Center for various breeding product segments (Early duration, Mid duration, long grains, High amylose content, High yielding germplasm)
• Facilitate varietal release and adoption at farm and create demand for superior varieties

Requirements

• PhD in breeding, genetics or other related fields with a minimum of 2-year experience in Rice breeding; or M.Sc. in breeding, genetics or other related fields with a minimum of 5-year experience in Rice breeding in a reputed seed company or research institution