Plant breeder/geneticist : Salary and conditions

Range of typical starting salaries: £20,000 - £27,000.
Salary with three to five years' experience: £25,000 - £36,000.
Range of typical salaries at senior levels: £35,000 - £44,000.
Pay tends to be higher in the public sector. In the private sector, additional benefits might include a company car and medical insurance. Pay is often performance related.
The working routine follows a seasonal pattern and days are usually quite long with the plants requiring care seven days a week. Some months are less busy than other, with February to October being a commonly quiet period. Extra hours may sometimes be required depending on the experiments that are being carried out.
Trials are mostly conducted in the field, which may involve working in poor weather conditions. Some researchers, however, are purely laboratory-based. Assessment and data analysis take place in the office.
Self-employment is not possible or likely. Specialist freelance writing or advisory work may be possible. There may be opportunities for career breaks.
This is a developing industry that changes quickly. Patience is required due to the time-consuming process but success is rewarding.
Travel within a working day and overnight absence from home may be occasionally required. This will usually be to meet with other breeders and farmers or to attend trade shows.
Opportunities to work abroad occasionally arise but these positions commonly require previous overseas experience. The vacancies are also usually short term.

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AGCAS

Written by AGCAS editors

Date:

February 2011