Assistant Plant Breeder

A. Duda & Sons Inc.Salinas, CA
Onsite

About The Position

Duda Farm Fresh Foods is seeking an innovative and highly motivated Assistant Plant Breeder to join its growing Research & Development team. This role contributes to a large, international breeding program focused on vegetable crops including celery, radish, kale, collards, cilantro, and other specialty crops. Reporting to the Vice President of Research & Development, the Assistant Plant Breeder will play a key role in advancing breeding initiatives, developing improved commercial varieties, and supporting research projects that impact every stage of the production cycle. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including production, harvest, and processing operations, while gaining hands-on experience in both traditional and modern plant breeding techniques.

Requirements

  • Master's degree required in Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Horticulture, Biology, or a related field.
  • One or more years of experience in plant breeding, agricultural research, field trials, or related agricultural responsibilities.
  • Strong data collection, analysis, and recordkeeping skills.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office applications; proficiency with Excel preferred.
  • Knowledge of plant breeding principles, experimental design, and statistical analysis.
  • Valid driver's license required.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
  • Ability to work in diverse environments, including office, laboratory, greenhouse, warehouse, cold storage, and field settings.

Nice To Haves

  • Ph.D. preferred.
  • Familiarity with database management systems is a plus.
  • Laboratory and research experience preferred.
  • Bilingual skills are a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

  • Assist in the planning, coordination, execution, and evaluation of breeding and research trials.
  • Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret breeding and field trial data.
  • Participate in variety development activities, including plant selection, crossing, evaluation, and advancement of breeding lines.
  • Maintain accurate breeding records, databases, and trial documentation.
  • Support seed production, breeding cage operations, isolation trials, and seed harvest activities.
  • Prepare technical reports, presentations, and summaries of research and breeding results.
  • Collaborate with production, harvest, processing, and research teams to evaluate crop performance and quality attributes.
  • Contribute to the implementation of modern breeding technologies and tools, including marker-assisted breeding, genomic selection, and other emerging methodologies.
  • Travel to trial locations and research sites as needed.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional growth
© 2026 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service