Scientist - Breeder

Biotechnology & Genetics (Science & Technology)

Full time

$125,000 - $145,000 pa (38 hours per week)

We're on a mission to develop the world's most irresistible, healthy Kiwifruit!

About The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre (KBC) 

Our vision at the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre is to deliver the world’s most irresistible, healthy fruit. For Good. Through accelerated research, better fruit and better outcomes - for our people, our regions, our planet.  

The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre is a 50/50 joint venture between The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited and Zespri International. We work together to drive greater innovation in kiwifruit breeding and to create healthier, better tasting and more sustainability-focused varieties to create more value for Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

At KBC, we encourage the team to live by our K.I.W.I Values 

• Be Keen – be positive, be proud and bring your best. 
• Take the Initiative – have courage, get stuck in and enjoy your work. 
• One Waka – pull together, achieve more, faster and trust and be trusted.  
• Act with Integrity – respect each other, be open and honest and speak up. 

This role is for you if you:

• Make things happen. You don’t wait for the perfect cross—you experiment, adapt, and drive results.
• Think beyond the orchard. You see the bigger picture, balancing grower needs, consumer trends, and scientific advancements to breed the best kiwifruit.
• Thrive in complexity. You can connect genetics, phenotyping, and market demands to make breeding decisions that deliver real impact.
• Own the challenge. You take responsibility for advancing breeding pipelines, aligning teams, and ensuring new cultivars meet commercial and consumer expectations.
• Bridge science and application. You know how to integrate molecular tools, data-driven insights, and traditional breeding to accelerate success.
• Lead with influence. You communicate breeding outcomes clearly, navigate competing priorities, and collaborate effectively across disciplines.

What You’ll Do:

• Drive the future of kiwifruit breeding. Lead the development of next-generation cultivars with superior fruit quality, storability, and resilience.
• Turn science into impact. Apply advanced breeding techniques, integrate genomic insights, and ensure new selections meet real-world needs.
• Collaborate to innovate. Work alongside geneticists, data scientists, and industry partners to develop cutting-edge breeding solutions.
• Make data-driven decisions. Use phenotypic, genotypic, and environmental data to refine breeding strategies and accelerate genetic gain.
• Deliver real-world solutions. Ensure new varieties are not just scientifically exciting, but commercially viable and globally competitive.

What You Bring:

• PhD - preferred in relevant science field (e.g., plant breeding, physiology or genetics).
• Minimum of 2 years of postgraduate experience in a relevant science area. Preferred is 10+ years' experience in kiwifruit breeding.
• Proven experience in plant breeding with a track record of delivering improved cultivars.
• Deep understanding of genetics, trait selection, and breeding methodologies—from hybridisation to marker-assisted selection.
• Experience with data-driven breeding, phenotyping technologies, and AI-powered insights.
• Ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, balancing scientific innovation with industry and market needs.
• A results-driven mindset. You step up, take ownership, and find ways to make an impact.

Why KBC?

At KBC, you’ll work at the cutting edge of kiwifruit breeding, where your decisions will shape the future of food. If you’re passionate about driving innovation, solving breeding challenges, and developing world-class kiwifruit—this is your role.

Additional info

• The advertised salary range is a guide only and will be negotiated based on skills and experience.
• Contact [email protected] for the position description and supplementary information.
• The preferred candidate may be selected before the closing date.
• Applicants need to be eligible to work in New Zealand or apply for a work visa with Immigration New Zealand. The organisation supports the preferred candidate in obtaining a work visa.