About the Opportunity

The Molecular Raspberry Breeder is an integral role within our Global Raspberry Breeding Team. This position is responsible for developing and executing the molecular breeding strategy for raspberries. This position focuses on leveraging advanced molecular techniques to enhance breeding efficiency and genetic gain, ultimately contributing to developing superior raspberry cultivars that meet global market demands. 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.
 

Candidate Profile

·  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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About Driscolls

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 fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. Our values of humility, passion and trustworthiness have guided our mission to delight consumers around the world.

Driscoll's exclusive patented berry varieties are developed through years of research using only natural breeding methods – meaning, no GMOs. From farm-to-table, we focus on delivering a high quality, premium berry experience with our many supply chain partners.

Driscoll's is the trusted brand for Only the Finest Berries™.

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Driscoll's es el proveedor líder en la comercialización de Fresas, Frambuesas, Zarzamoras y Arándanos Azules en el mundo. Con más de 100 años de herencia en agricultura y cientos de productores independiente alrededor del mundo, Driscoll's es una compañía apasionada por cultivar Berries frescas, hermosas y deliciosas. Nuestros valores de humildad, pasión y confianza han guiado nuestra misión de deleitar a los consumidores en el mundo.

Las variedades exclusivas de Driscoll's han sido desarrolladas a través de años de investigación usando sólo métodos de mejoramiento natural. De la granja a la mesa, nos enfocamos en ofrecer una experiencia de alta calidad con apoyo de nuestros socios de la cadena de suministro.

Driscoll's es la marca de confianza de sólo las mejores Berries.