DEPARTMENT: Product Development - Genomics & Trait Discovery / Mango Breeding

Ranked in the Top 20 of the Forbes Best-In-State Companies in 2026, Sun World International is a California-based agriculture and technology firm engaged in fruit variety development, technology, intellectual property, and licensing. Technology and IP pursuits include one of the world’s leading fruit breeding/genetics programs, a broad-based portfolio of plant patents and trademarks and investments in agriculture technology start-ups benefiting its global licensees. The Company prizes creativity, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Its people strive for excellence by demonstrating leadership, passion, kindness, authenticity, courage, initiative, and curiosity.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

At the heart of Sun World’s business is a commitment to developing new fruit varieties that can be grown in a sustainable way and optimized for yield, flavor, and appearance. The Product Development program focuses on fast-moving technology and developing the next generation of fruit genetics to meet grower challenges and consumer expectations. R&D locations in California, Spain and South Africa support the Breeding of table grape, cherry, stone fruit, mango and citrus. At Sun World you are part of a team that values passion, respect, and leadership to envision and create the future. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Data Operations Specialist is a hands on, field embedded role supporting Sun World’s subtropical breeding program in Hoedspruit, South Africa. This position serves as the critical link between field operations, phenotyping, agronomic data collection, molecular tools, and advanced analytics. Working onsite in Hoedspruit with mango and subtropical breeders and field technicians and functionally connected to the Genomics & Trait Discovery team in California, this role ensures that high quality data is captured, curated, and transformed into actionable insights that accelerate selection, advancement, and crossing decisions within the program. This is a highly impactful role for someone who can bridge analytics with real world breeding operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Database Management & Data Collection

· Support implementation and routine use of Sun World’s in-house- breeding database.

· Collect, curate, and validate phenotypic and agronomic data in field trials.

· Implement standardized protocols to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and completeness.

· Perform data validation checks and produce routine QA/QC reports.

· Coordinate with field teams to ensure timely data capture across seasons, sites, and trial types.

2. Breeder Support & Analytics

· Work closely with subtropical breeders to analyze trial data and decision support -outputs.

· Produce regular summaries, reports, dashboards, and visualizations highlighting trial performance and trait distributions.

· Translate analytics into clear, breeder friendly insights that guide advancement and selection-.

· Train breeders and field staff in digital data entry, database use, and interpretation of analytical outputs.

3. Trial Design & Experimental Support

· Monitor trial progress and provide feedback on data collection practices and consistency.

· Support data cleaning and preparation for downstream statistical or genomic analyses.

· Ensure trials are aligned with data quality requirements and analytical objectives.

4. Molecular Breeding & Advanced Analytics

· Support development and application of molecular marker tools 

· Contribute to development and implementation of genomic selection (GS) pipelines in subtropical crops.

· Integrate genotypic and phenotypic datasets to support predictive modeling and trait discovery.

· Assist with analyses related to heritability estimation, genetic diversity, and model performance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Honour’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Genetics, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, or a related field. 

· Experience working with biological, agricultural, or field trial datasets. 

· Proficiency in R and/or Python for data cleaning, visualization, and basic modeling. 

· Ability to work onsite with breeders, field teams, and operational staff. 

· Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for managing multi-year datasets.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Experience with plant breeding databases or digital breeding data platforms. 

· Familiarity with mixed models, BLUE/BLUP estimation, or quantitative genetics principles. 

· Exposure to SNP or other genotyping data and basic population genetics or parentage analysis. 

· Experience with perennial or tree crop breeding (Subtropical experience helpful but not required).

WORK SCHEDULE & EXPECTATIONS

· Primarily in Hoedspruit with direct daily interaction with subtropical breeders and field teams. There is an office in Hoedspruit and when this individual is not in the field, they will be at the office. 

· Regular communication and collaboration with the Genomics & Trait Discovery team in California. 

· Proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable switching between fieldwork, data management, and analytics. 

· Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, seasonally dynamic breeding environment.