Driscoll’s Genetics Ltd. has an opening for the position of Strawberry Breeding Manager Europe at its research facility located in East Malling, Kent, UK. Driscoll’s Genetics Ltd. (an affiliated company of Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc., USA) is a leading developer and provider of small fruit varieties throughout Europe.

The primary responsibility of this position is to manage strawberry breeding programs to develop varieties for various production areas in Europe. The position is located at one of its primary research and trial sites in East Malling, Kent, UK where the company has excellent facilities for plant tissue culture, post harvest analysis, and plant pathology work as well as ample glasshouse and field trial space. Driscoll’s Genetics Ltd. also evaluates elite selections of raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries from other Driscoll breeding programs and the Strawberry Breeding Manager Europe will participate as part of a team in evaluating these crops. The Strawberry Breeding Manager Europe will work closely with regional trials plot managers and agronomists as well as with other plant breeders in Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc. This position will require within country and international travel. An excellent compensation and benefit package is included.

Responsibilities of the position include:

• development and implementation of strawberry breeding strategy to achieve company goals for various plant types and production locations
• planning and implementation of hybridization programs
• advancement of seedling and selections
• evaluation of selections from other Driscoll strawberry breeding programs
• collection, analyzing and reporting of trial plot data
• acquisition and evaluation of new germplasm
• development of disease resistance breeding efforts
• monitor shipping trials and post harvest evaluation of selections
• monitoring variety development database and issuance of weekly yield reports
• preparation of annual oral and written reports
• interaction with other plant breeders, nursery managers, trial plot managers, and agronomists within the company

Qualifications:

• PhD in plant breeding, plant genetics, or a plant science (horticulture or agronomy) with research specialization in plant breeding, or MS with advanced training and several years work experience in breeding vegetatively propagated crops.
• Completed coursework in plant breeding, advanced genetics, quantitative and population genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology, statistics, plant pathology, and entomology.
• Good computer skills using various software including Access, Excel and statistical software like Minitab or JMP.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Applications:

Applications should be made in writing including a curriculum vitae to:

Samantha Desforges
Human Resources Manager
Driscolls of Europe
Tatlingbury Oast • Five Oak Green • Tonbridge • Kent TN12 6RG
sdesforges@berrygardens.eu