Job Description

Plennegy Research: Research Technician - OudtsoornA position has become available for a Research Technician based at our Goedgeluk Research Farm, outside Oudtshoorn. The purpose of this role is to assist the research department with day-to-day operations thereby ensuring that all research activities are carried out effectively and efficiently.RESPONSIBILITIES:Provide assistance with breeding activities:o Receives instructions at the beginning of the season and seed from Breeders as to what must be done for cultivation of each nursery / trial for each crop.o Liaise with Breeders with regards to the seasonal planning and allocation of land to the different projects.o Obtain chemical and fertilizer programs after soil samples and water samples have been taken. Prepare plant beds and ensure programs are followed through for each crop.o Ensure plant beds are done properly; install irrigation pipes and ensure mulching is done correctly.o Responsible to maintain tensiometers, do calibrations, installations and the recording of the data obtain from it. Use this data to determine irrigation schedules for all the breeding crops.o Plan and organize bees for cross pollinations. Maintain beehives.o Rouging of off-type plants, detasseling, training vines and trellising as directed by the breeder and as required through the growing season.o Monitor general plant appearance throughout the day with regards to the below. Apply corrective measures on a continuous basis:Wilting/heat stressNutritional abnormalitiesChemical burnPhysiological abnormalitiesPhysical damagePlanting Programmes:This entails the planting and recording of specific seeds at a specific time in rows as specified by the Breeder. This includes the growing of seedlings for breeding and seed production purposes and ensuring that the planting is correct and properly documented.Handling of seed:Responsible for shelling, cleaning, treating, packaging, cataloging of the seed, and preparation of it for planting. To ensure that the seed is correctly harvested, cataloged (some of the seed is sent to outside organisations for further evaluation), and is viable.Executes and supervises data collection:This entails collecting data from a specific plant/plot/row at a specified time and recording it, as instructed by the Breeder. This may include, but is not limited to, plant number, flower number/time, fruit number and mass, weight of fruit per plot, size and dimensions of fruit, number of seeds, total yield etc. Large amounts of data are generated and these should be recorded timeously and accurately.Harvesting of plants: This entails the harvesting of specific plants and recording/cataloging specified data/selections from these plants.Execution of hand pollination: This is a procedure that is very critical in that it is the basis of the breeding programme. All pollinations have to be properly executed, and since this is a biologically dependant process, the coordination of resources is of utmost importance to accomplish this. This entails either self-pollinating or cross-pollinating specific plants or plots as per breeders' request. REQUIRMENTS: Education:o Bachelor of Science in Genetics/Horticulture/Agriculture. (NQF level 7) (essential)Experience:o Vegetable cultivationo Farming practiceso Staff managementKnowledge:o Pest and disease identificationo Chemical applicationo Fertilizer applicationo Plant physiologySkills:o Computer literateo Friendly and approachable appearanceo Team playero People skillso Solution-based problem solvero Able to work in conditions with exposure to high pollen, poisonous chemicals, extreme weather conditions, and a tunnel growing environment.Planning:o Continuous planning and development of short-term, long-term and seasonal strategies aimed at keeping the breeding program competitive and efficient.o Submit monthly and seasonal reports according to deadlines.Decision-making:o Identify problems/faults and make responsible decisions to solve it.o Liaise with Farm Manager / Operations manager / Breeders / Program LeaderReport job

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