Plant breeder/geneticist
Plant breeders/geneticists carry out scientific research and apply a range of techniques to improve existing plants as well as create new varieties. Their role is vital to the agricultural industry, allowing it to increase and maintain yields in important crops grown for many uses, such as food and pharmaceuticals.
The aim of their work is to develop useful traits in the plants, such as disease resistance or drought tolerance. They may also try to improve characteristics such as appearance or add nutritional value to the crop, which appeals to the consumer.
In recent years plant geneticists have enhanced the traditional work of crossing existing plants and selecting new strains; their expertise allows quicker, more accurate work by selecting the plants containing the genes of interest.
Work may be carried out in academic, research and commercial settings and varies according to specialist area and level. Common tasks include:
There is a continuous need for new varieties to adapt to changing growing conditions, consumer demands and shifts in agricultural or environmental policies. However, developing a new strain can be time consuming and may take several years. Time is spent selecting plants with the desired attributes and assessing them for yield, disease resistance and end-user quality. The most promising samples then need to be purified and multiplied for entry to official trials.
Genetic engineering can produce significant changes in crop characteristics and value in a single generation and has the potential to make the breeding process quicker and more efficient. The ongoing debate about genetically modified food and crops is likely to have a significant effect on the future of plant breeding in the UK.
Relevant degree subjects include life and medical sciences and agricultural and horticultural sciences. In particular, the following degree subjects may improve your chances:
A good honours degree is required and a postgraduate qualification can be advantageous. Find PhD opportunities at Find a PhD or look for taught and research Masters courses at Find a Masters .
Entry with an HND is only possible for technical support roles in breeding programmes. It may be possible to work your way up from this role if further qualifications are studied for.
Relevant pre-entry experience will increase your chances, e.g. vacation work or a sandwich placement in a plant breeding company/laboratory or agricultural setting. Most companies take students over the summer, especially during harvesting: posts are usually advertised on the company’s website. Undertaking a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate project or choosing a PhD funded by industry will make you more competitive and will also be a way to gain useful contacts.
Candidates need to show evidence of the following:
Some posts may require a driving licence.
You should research the industry to determine which area you would like to work in. You will also need to consider which areas may be most commercially in demand in the future.
Plant breeding is a specialised field and because of this the number of vacancies is low, but so is the pool of applicants. This means that those with relevant experience (perhaps through a summer job or placement with a plant breeding company) and relevant subjects of study have a reasonable chance of securing a position.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
The necessary scientific training is usually given on the job. Because of the nature of the role, learning the required skills while you work is an essential part of the job and you will do this with the support of your team and manager. It is also possible to be seconded to a university to study for a further degree.
A PhD is considered to be appropriate training for research scientists wanting to achieve more senior positions. In addition to academic institutions, specialist research institutes, such as the John Innes Centre and Rothamsted Research , offer PhD studentships.
Some companies offer structured training programmes, which provide the opportunity to gain experience in different areas. More structured training is usually available for research scientists in commercial firms and government-funded research institutes. This training will include learning and updating skills, techniques and knowledge, often by attending seminars and conferences.
Training increasingly includes short courses that focus on specific 'soft' skills, such as public speaking and time management. In smaller companies, for those with broader-based roles, training may also cover practical skills such as tractor or forklift driving. Management training is often available for managing research teams or for non-science management posts.
Some plant breeders may wish to enhance their training by overseas experience, which might take the form of a period of overseas study, a visit to an overseas breeding organisation or presenting work at an international conference. Professional bodies such as the British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) may consider providing funding for such activities if they are relevant to their organisation and if you are employed by a member company.
Promotion to senior research and breeding positions is dependent on ability, performance and experience. Progression will involve increased responsibilities, including supervision, project management and senior management. In larger companies, an increase in seniority will involve a shift from direct laboratory and field work to more strategic and budgetary responsibilities.
Commercial opportunities exist in international companies, specialised seed firms and an increasing number of biotechnology and genetic engineering firms. Opportunities are also available overseas.
In research councils and institutes, career development would involve moving through bands from research scientist to senior research scientist.
If you have studied for a PhD relating to plant breeding, it will be possible to go on to take up a post-doctoral position, possibly then moving to a senior research fellowship.
Because of the reduction in vacancies and the small size of plant breeding/development teams in most settings, developing your career can be challenging.
Modern plant breeding is an increasingly sophisticated, high-investment business. The majority of commercial plant breeding takes place within the private sector. Plant breeding work is also carried out in a limited number of research institutes.
Plant breeders are employed in a range of areas including government research agencies, commercial plant breeding companies, genetic engineering firms and seed specialists.
The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has over 50 member organisations made up of research institutes, companies that actively breed in the UK, and breeders' agents who represent varieties from continental breeders in the UK.
Government agricultural research agencies include a number of institutes funded or grant-aided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) , the Scottish Government Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate (RERAD) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) . These include:
Breeding work in these institutes is also funded and undertaken by the commercial firms represented by the BSPB.
In the future, plants could be developed into 'biological factories' to harvest custom proteins and materials such as commercially valuable chemicals, vaccines, drugs, biodegradable plastics and biofuels. This is likely to lead to increased opportunities for employment within a range of biotechnology companies. However, these roles are likely to be slightly different from the role of a plant breeder/geneticist.
The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) list of members is a source of contact details you can use to enquire about student placements or for making speculative applications. Most BSPB members advertise vacancies on their own company website.
Recruitment agencies such as MorePeople sometimes handle vacancies.
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