A. Duda & Sons is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and as part of that celebration it is expanding its commitment to research in order to propel it into the next century. Its Duda Farm Fresh Foods subsidiary is a world leader in celery production, innovation and celery research. Please consider the Plant Breeder position and whether you would be interested in joining its progressive research effort. The Plant Breeder will play a critical role as a team member of a large intricate celery breeding program and provide assistance to the current two celery breeders and train to take on responsibilities for the hybrid breeding program.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Assist in all aspects of the celery breeding program with priority in sterile development and hybrid celery. This will include learning and being involved in caging operations, reading sterility and monitoring sterility in all crops and production.
• Develop a special screening program/protocol not yet currently performed in the celery breeding programs (i.e. development of a new special screening program for Fusarium race 4 (laboratory or greenhouse), salt stress, drought tolerance, flavor, etc.
• Capable and willing to travel to the numerous celery production locations around the United States (as needed to Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Georgia, Carolinas, and California) for the evaluation of trials, to become familiar with the growers, farming operations, farming/harvesting/processing practices, and generally all aspects of celery.
• Responsible for learning and updating the Microsoft Access breeding database.
• Responsible for working with the research team to develop flavor testing protocol.
• Must have good knowledge of current DNA breeding protocols and various GMO and non-GMO technologies. Will be required to analyze and address an appropriate pathway either with or without the technologies.
• PhD in plant breeding or related field is required.
• Knowledge in Statistics.
• Education/experience in plant pathology or food science and laboratory techniques or other relative secondary specialization preferred
• Willing to travel for multiple weeks at a time to all areas where Duda is active.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, preferably Access.
• Fluent in English, Spanish beneficial.
• Other duties as assigned.

Please submit your cover letter and resume to paula.campuzano@duda.com