Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in planning, executing, and managing cotton breeding nurseries and yield trials in the field and potentially the greenhouse.
- Support crossing programs, including hand pollinations and seed harvest.
- Collect, record, and analyze phenotypic and agronomic data.
- Manage planting, maintenance, and harvesting of experimental plots.
- Oversee seed processing activities such as ginning, delinting, and storage.
- Organize and manage seed inventories.
- Utilize molecular markers and other genetic tools for selection and analysis.
- Collaborate with the cotton business team as well as external partners.
- Prepare reports, maintain breeding records, and ensure data integrity.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of new breeding technologies and strategies.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Genetics, Agronomy, or a related field.
- Experience working with cotton or other crop breeding programs.
- Strong understanding of plant genetics, quantitative genetics, and field trial design.
- Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g. SAS, Excel) and breeding data management systems (PRISM)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in both field and field laboratory settings.
- Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to travel and work in outdoor field conditions as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with molecular breeding tools (e.g., marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, gene editing).
- Knowledge of GIS and remote sensing technologies for phenotyping.
- Basic understanding of cytogenetics as related to cytoplasmic male sterility systems
Top Skills
What We Do
Gowan Company is a Yuma, AZ-based, family-owned company that has evolved into a global player in the agricultural input industry. Over 50 years ago, Jon Jessen began his venture working in the fields alongside farmers to help them identify, and solve pest problems that threatened to compromise the health of their crops and their livelihood.
Today, the Gowan Group employs over 950 employees globally with entities in 11 countries including France, Italy, Spain, UK, Canada, and Mexico. The company’s products and services include crop protection products (insecticides, fungicides, etc.) as well as seeds and fertilizers. Contract formulation, manufacturing, and warehousing are also included in the comprehensive suite of products and services provided by Gowan. Based on recent sales growth over the past 5 years, Phillips McDougall has cited Gowan Company as one of the fastest growing agrochemical companies in the world.
Gowan employees are proud to be a part of this family-owned tribe, working together towards a common goal. Weekly “happy half hour” celebrations on Friday, monthly company luncheons, profit-sharing bonuses, excellent benefits, and many other perks make Gowan a truly great place to work.
