The role involves close collaboration with the global raspberry breeding team and various departments, including molecular genetics, chemistry, sensory, plant pathology, entomology, physiology, and production research. This cross-functional interaction is crucial for designing and executing innovative breeding techniques and analytical tools that improve breeding efficiency and genetic gain for raspberries.
This position reports to the Senior Plant Breeding Director – Raspberry. Responsibilities
· Serve as the primary liaison between the raspberry breeding team and Next-Gen groups to consult, strategize, and provide input on genotypic assay development and coordinate implementation of genomic prediction.
· Work with commercial breeders and the R&D IT team to compile, manage, and analyze phenotypic data sets for predictive breeding and molecular marker projects.
· Oversee tissue culture collection and coordination among commercial breeders, greenhouse teams, and Next-Gen teams for genotyping.
· Perform in-depth analysis of molecular marker datasets, including clustering, haplotype mapping, recombination frequency assessment, and QTL/marker-trait association studies.
· Utilize and help integrate bioinformatics tools (e.g., JBrowse) for marker discovery, SNP data extraction, and genomic data visualization. Manage related projects in collaboration with the Bioinformatics team.
· Lead marker development projects, oversee validation trials, and ensure effective integration of molecular markers into the raspberry breeding pipeline.
· Identify and introduce novel genetic diversity into pre-breeding populations and apply MAS to efficiently select novel traits before integrating materials into commercial breeding pipelines.
· Assess marker screening performance and collaborate with Next-Gen teams to refine screening markers and improve selection accuracy.
· Coordinate research efforts with other departments such as Chemistry, Host-Resistance, Physiology, and Consumer Research to integrate molecular breeding approaches with commercial l breeding objectives.
· Regularly generate reports on molecular marker performance, project progress, and predictive breeding advancements to guide production genotyping team and commercial breeders in implementation.
· Project-manage, submit, and coordinate projects across pre-breeding and specialized departments, including chemistry, host resistance, physiology, postharvest, molecular biology, and sensory. Ensure seamless collaboration and communication among teams and oversee project timelines and milestones.
· Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, or a related field.
· Experience in plant breeding, focusing on molecular breeding and pre-breeding strategies.
· Expertise in predictive breeding, molecular marker discovery, and marker-assisted selection.
· Project management of breeding projects, coordinating between commercial breeders, molecular researchers, and R&D departments.
· Experience with genomic databases, SNP data extraction, and visualization programs.
· Technical skills: Molecular Breeding and Genomic Selection, Statistical Analysis, Bioinformatics, and Genomic Data Analysis.
· Experience managing people is a plus.
· Disciplined, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and have good verbal communication.
· Work independently and as part of a team and collaborate with other scientists in achieving team goals.
· Must be able to work in field and agricultural settings.
· Occasionally travel to other geographies, including but not limited to Mexico, Europe, or China.
· A driver’s license is required and a valid passport and the ability to travel internationally.
Compensation and Benefits
The following information is provided in good faith as a general description of the salary range and benefits for the position posted. The actual compensation offered to the successful candidate is dependent upon experience, skills, education, work location, internal pay equity, and other objective job-related factors.
Salary Range estimated for the Molecular Breeder - Raspberry role: $90,000.00/year to $135,000.00/year.
Driscoll’s is committed to a culture of care and offers an attractive benefits package that includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, and disability coverage for positions working more than 30 hours per week. Other benefits include: 401(k) with employer match, profit-sharing participation, paid sick time, paid vacation, paid personal and family care leave, and a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). More detailed information regarding the benefits package, will be shared during the application process.
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What We Do
Driscoll’s is the global market leader for fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage and hundreds of independent growers around the world, Driscoll’s is passionate about growing great tasting berries.
Driscoll’s exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – that means no GMOs. A dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant pathologists and entomologists help grow baby seedlings that are then grown on family farms. Our independent berry growers then work with Mother Nature, using experience and know-how to get the very best out of each strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry plant.
Driscoll’s is serious about yummy berries! Driscoll’s is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries ™.
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