Oil Palm Breeder – Geneticist (M/F/X)
Expatriate Position – Colombia
You have a strong command of plant breeding and field experimentation, and you enjoy turning data into concrete solutions? Curious, autonomous, and comfortable working in a tropical and international environment, you are motivated by hands-on scientific challenges? Join PalmElit and contribute to innovation in oil palm breeding. Could this be your next challenge?
About PalmElit
PalmElit is a seed company specializing in the creation, improvement, and commercialization of high-yielding and disease-resistant oil palm varieties. A subsidiary of CIRAD and Sofiprotéol, PalmElit relies on internationally recognized scientific expertise and collaborates with numerous public and private partners across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Committed to sustainable and responsible agriculture, PalmElit is an affiliated member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). As part of the strengthening of its breeding programs in Latin America, PalmElit is recruiting an Oil Palm Breeder – Geneticist for an expatriate position based in Colombia, within the framework of a local partnership.Job description
At the core of PalmElit’s breeding programs in Latin America, you will be involved in field activities, research projects, and strategic discussions within the company.
- You lead and contribute to the scientific and technical supervision of experimental field trials conducted in Colombia and Ecuador, in close collaboration with local partners.
- You monitor and analyze regional varietal trials deployed across several Latin American countries and translate results into operational recommendations for breeding programs.
- You collect, manage, and interpret field data, particularly related to yield, disease resistance, and key agronomic traits.
- You play an active role in research activities, including scientific monitoring of spear rot (heart rot) and major oil palm diseases in Latin America.
- You contribute to collaborative research projects with CIRAD, providing scientific expertise and, depending on the project, acting as an operational interface.
- You work in close synergy with PalmElit’s scientific teams (genetics, plant pathology, statistics) in a multicultural and international environment.
- You contribute to the company’s strategic orientations and report your work to the Research Director.
Profile
You are passionate about plant breeding and genetic improvement, curious about tropical agronomic challenges, and motivated by multicultural and international projects.
Requirements
- Higher education degree (Engineering degree, MSc, or PhD) in agronomy, plant breeding, genetics, or plant improvement.
- More than 10 years of significant experience in varietal optimization and breeding within an international context.
- Strong expertise in the analysis and interpretation of agronomic data.
- Fluent French is mandatory (native or near-native level required), as French is a key working language for reporting, and collaboration within the group.
- Professional working proficiency in English and operational knowledge of Spanish; training can be provided to further strengthen Spanish skills.
Key Skills
- Autonomous, rigorous, with a strong scientific and analytical mindset, you are able to transform data and field observations into practical recommendations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and diplomacy, enabling you to operate effectively in complex intercultural environments and represent the company in the field.
- Curious, committed, and passionate about applied research, you actively contribute to collective program dynamics and collaborate efficiently with international scientists and partners.
- Resilient, adaptable, and able to step back in demanding situations, you combine scientific performance with strong relational skills.
Offer
Joining PalmElit means contributing to innovation and improvement in oil palm breeding within an international and multicultural context, participating in high-impact scientific projects, and growing within a committed and passionate team. The position offers an attractive expatriation package, including:- Competitive compensation with expatriation allowance, performance-based bonus, and profit-sharing scheme.
- Coverage of housing costs, children’s education, and social benefits, including health and insurance coverage, and paid leave.
Location Villavicencio, Colombia
Interested?
The recruitment mission for this position has been exclusively entrusted to CeresRecruitment. For further information, please contact Emilie Volpoët at +33 (0)6 84 69 75 23. The selection process includes an interview with CeresRecruitment, a technical interview with PalmElit’s scientific teams, and an HR interview to assess your suitability for an international context. Please submit your application via the Ceres website: www.ceresrecruitment.fr. Additional information about our partner is available at www.palmelit.com.
