Junior Breeder - Tomato

Job Description

Title: Junior Breeder - Tomato

Location: Hyderabad

Role Purpose

To support the tomato breeding program by executing field trials, data collection, hybridization activities, and selection processes, contributing to the development of high-performing tomato hybrids/varieties with improved yield, quality, disease resistance, and market-preferred traits.

Key Responsibilities

Breeding Program Execution

• Support the planning and execution of tomato breeding trials under the guidance of the Senior Breeder.
• Execute activities related to hybridization, emasculation, pollination, selection, nursery management, and advancement of breeding materials.
• Assist in developing and managing early-generation and advanced tomato breeding populations.
• Participate in parental line maintenance and seed increase activities.

Field Trial Management

• Conduct tomato breeding trials, evaluation nurseries, and hybrid testing across locations as per defined protocols.
• Ensure adherence to recommended experimental designs and trial standards.
• Monitor trials to ensure proper crop establishment, plant health, uniformity, and reliable data generation.
• Coordinate field operations including planting, staking, pruning, irrigation, crop protection, and harvesting activities.

Data Collection & Analysis

• Collect accurate and timely phenotypic, horticultural, agronomic, disease, and fruit quality data.
• Evaluate key tomato traits including:
  • Yield and yield components
  • Fruit size, shape, firmness, and color
  • Shelf life and transportability
  • Plant vigor and growth habit
  • Disease and pest tolerance/resistance
  • Processing and market-preferred characteristics
• Maintain proper data records through manual and digital systems.
• Support data validation, consolidation, and preliminary analysis for breeding decisions.

Agronomy & Crop Care

• Ensure adoption of best agronomic practices for tomato crop management.
• Monitor crop health and implement appropriate crop protection measures.
• Identify and resolve field-level challenges affecting breeding trials and nursery performance.
• Support disease screening and stress evaluation activities as required.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordinate with trial teams, farm staff, pathology teams, seed production teams, and external growers for smooth execution of breeding activities.
• Assist in organizing field days, crop tours, variety demonstrations, and internal review meetings.
• Support collaboration with research stations and partner locations involved in tomato breeding trials.

Learning & Capability Building

Continuously build knowledge in:

• Tomato breeding methodologies
• Hybrid development and parental line management
• Tomato crop agronomy and physiology
• Disease and pest resistance breeding
• Data management and breeding analytics tools

Stay updated with emerging breeding technologies, molecular breeding approaches, and industry developments relevant to tomato improvement.

Eligibility Criteria

Education

• B.Sc. Agriculture / B.Sc. Horticulture (Mandatory)
• M.Sc. Agriculture (Plant Breeding & Genetics) / M.Sc. Horticulture (Vegetable Science) preferred

Experience

• 4-8 years of experience in plant breeding, field trials, vegetable research, or crop improvement programs.
• Prior experience in Tomato Breeding, Tomato Research, Vegetable Seed Industry, or related crop improvement activities is preferred.
• Hands-on exposure to hybrid seed production, nursery management, and trait evaluation will be an advantage.

Skills & Functional Competencies

• Basic understanding of:
  • Tomato breeding concepts and breeding methodologies
  • Hybridization and selection techniques
  • Experimental designs and field trial protocols
  • Trait evaluation and data collection systems
  • Disease and pest screening methodologies
• Familiarity with digital data capture and breeding management tools (preferred).
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis and trial data interpretation will be an advantage.

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Strong execution focus and attention to detail.
• High level of discipline in field operations and data management.
• Willingness to work extensively in field and greenhouse environments.
• Good coordination, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Learning agility and scientific curiosity.
• Problem-solving mindset and ability to manage field challenges.
• Ability to follow structured guidance from senior breeders while working independently on assigned activities.
• Passion for crop improvement and innovation in vegetable breeding.