What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Cotton Breeder position at Gowan USA?
Position Summary:
Gowan Cotton Company is the world leader in the development and sales of Cotton F1 Hybrids. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Assistant Cotton Breeder to support our cotton breeding program. The successful candidate will assist in the development of new cotton hybrids by contributing to nursery operations, field trials, data collection, and greenhouse operations. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work hands-on with a unique research project and contribute to advancements in cotton genetics and crop improvement.
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
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- A collaborative, innovative research environment
