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Plant Breeding Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Syngenta Group

Operations Manager

Slater, IA · On-site

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience in agricultural operations, preferably in seed production or plant breeding ...

Syngenta

Operations Manager

Slater, IA

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience in agricultural operations, preferably in seed production or plant breeding ...

Syngenta Seeds

Operations Manager

Slater, IA

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field, with at least 5 years of experience in agricultural operations, preferably in seed production or plant breeding ...

Kellton

Imaging Data Scientist

Johnston, IA · On-site

$75/hr

... plant cell biology and applied AI to build, productionize, and maintain computer vision pipelines that accelerate Doubled Haploid (DH) breeding in Biotechnology. The contractor will contribute to ...

CYNET SYSTEMS

Laboratory Technician

Johnston, IA · On-site

$22/hr

Bachelor's degree in agriculture, horticulture, plant physiology, molecular biology, entomology ... Support planning and logistical execution of wheat breeding greenhouse experiments including ...

CYNET SYSTEMS

Research Investigator

Johnston, IA · On-site

$27 - $32/hr

Bachelor's or master's degree in plant Pathology, Plant Science, Agronomy, Biological Sciences, or ... Work cross-functionally with research, breeding, and technical teams. * Document methods, summarize ...

Vylor, Inc.

Research Scientist

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

... breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer, Brevant, and Hoegemeyer ... Serve as a scientific lead for mycology-focused plant pathology research, including fungal pathogen ...

Seaboard

Animal Caretaker - Westfield, IA

Hawarden, IA · On-site

More than 5,400 employees in five states work on our farms, feed mills, and processing plant to ... Breeding sows (if placed on sow farm) * Processing piglets (if placed on sow farm) * Loading and ...

Seaboard Foods

Animal Caretaker

Bloomfield, IA

Breeding sows (if placed on sow farm) * Processing piglets (if placed on sow farm) * Loading and ... plant, to produce Prairie Fresh ®  pork, ensuring the well-being of our animals, the environment ...

Varsity Tutors

Agricultural Science Tutor

Ames, IA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of soil science, plant biology, animal science ... Ability to explain photosynthesis optimization, nutrient cycling, selective breeding, and precision ...

Seaboard Foods

Animal Caretaker

Bloomfield, IA · On-site

Breeding sows (if placed on sow farm) * Processing piglets (if placed on sow farm) * Loading and ... plant, to produce Prairie Fresh ® pork, ensuring the well-being of our animals, the environment ...

Seaboard Foods

Animal Caretaker

Iowa Falls, IA · On-site

Breeding sows (if placed on sow farm) * Processing piglets (if placed on sow farm) * Loading and ... plant, to produce Prairie Fresh ® pork, ensuring the well-being of our animals, the environment ...

Seaboard Foods

Animal Caretaker

Carroll, IA

Breeding sows (if placed on sow farm) * Processing piglets (if placed on sow farm) * Loading and ... plant, to produce Prairie Fresh ®  pork, ensuring the well-being of our animals, the environment ...

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All JobsPlant Breeding JobsPlant Breeding Jobs in Iowa

Plant Breeding information

See Iowa salary details

$12

$21

$37

How much do plant breeding jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for plant breeding in Iowa is $21.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.34 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is plant breeding?

Plant breeding incorporates traditional methods and modern scientific methods to modify and manipulate plant species to improve crops, food, fuel, plant-based products. The modification is done through processes like genetic engineering or controlled pollination to combine traits and produce the desired phenotypes and genotypes. The process ensures food security and increases the resistance and outcome for plants. It helps plants fight pests, advance crop growth, and sturdiness, and offer a better taste in some situations. The crossing can occur with closely related plants or distantly associated species depending on the traits wanted. Plant breeding has been going on for thousands of years and is practiced worldwide.

What is plant breeding?

Plant breeding is the science-driven process of changing the traits of plants in order to produce desired characteristics. This is achieved by selecting plants with beneficial traits and breeding them to create improved varieties, such as those with higher yield, disease resistance, or better nutritional value. Plant breeding can involve traditional cross-breeding methods as well as modern techniques like genetic engineering and marker-assisted selection. The goal is to develop plants that are more productive, resilient, and suited to specific environments or market needs.

What are some typical challenges faced by plant breeders when developing new crop varieties?

Plant breeders often encounter challenges such as balancing multiple desirable traits like yield, disease resistance, and climate adaptability within a single crop variety. They must also manage long breeding cycles, as it can take several years to see the results of their work. Collaboration with agronomists, geneticists, and farmers is essential to ensure new varieties meet market and environmental needs. Additionally, staying updated on advances in biotechnology and regulatory changes is crucial for success in this evolving field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plant breeder, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plant Breeder, you need a strong background in genetics, biology, and agronomy, often supported by a degree in plant science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, molecular marker technologies, and statistical analysis software such as SAS or R is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective collaboration are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the development of improved crop varieties, successful experimentation, and productive teamwork to meet agricultural challenges.

What is the difference between Plant Breeding vs Plant Genetics?

AspectPlant BreedingPlant Genetics
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Plant Science, Agriculture, or related fields; often includes breeding certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Genetics, Biology, or related fields; may include genetics certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch farms, laboratories, seed companies, agricultural organizationsLaboratories, research institutions, universities, biotech companies
Industry UsageDeveloping new plant varieties, improving crop traitsUnderstanding genetic mechanisms, gene mapping, and inheritance patterns

Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics are closely related fields. Plant Breeding focuses on developing new plant varieties through crossing and selection, while Plant Genetics emphasizes understanding the genetic basis of traits. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds and work environments, but their primary goals differ: one creates improved crops, the other explores genetic mechanisms.

More about Plant Breeding jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Breeding jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Plant Breeding jobs in Iowa are:

What job categories do people searching Plant Breeding jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Plant Breeding jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Plant Breeding jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Plant Breeding job openings:

Plant Breeding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Breeding job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,695 per year, or $21 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plant Breeding and Genomic Prediction

Iowa State University

Ames, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Iowa State University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

386th of 625 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Title:Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plant Breeding and Genomic PredictionAppointment Type:Post Doc/TraineeJob Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to research focused on cover crop improvement, agronomic performance, and plant responses to environmental stress. The successful candidate will conduct advanced data analyses, design and manage controlled-environment experiments, and support the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Key Responsibilities
  • Analyze agronomic datasets from cover crop experiments using advanced statistical and quantitative genetic approaches.
  • Apply genomic prediction methods to evaluate and improve cover crop performance.
  • Design, implement, and manage climate chamber experiments under shade and other environmental stress conditions.
  • Collect, process, and analyze seedling phenotypic data, including morphological, physiological, and stomatal traits.
  • Interpret experimental results and prepare reports, presentations, and scientific publications.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams and contribute to grant-funded research objectives.
  • Prepare final drafts of research manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

  • PhD in Plant Breeding
  • Experience in design and analysis of field experiments.
  • Experience with analysis of genome-wide marker analyses.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working with crops grown along with cover crops.
  • Experience with design, conduct, and analysis of climate chamber experiments.
  • Experience analyzing plant physiological traits, particularly shade response and stomata traits.
  • Experience working in large interdisciplinary teams.
  • Experience with publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Agronomy in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a nationally recognized leader in crop production, plant breeding, genetics, soil science, and sustainable agricultural systems. The department conducts innovative research that addresses global challenges in food security, environmental stewardship, and agricultural resilience while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and translating discoveries into practical solutions for producers and society

Department Unit/Website:
Agronomy | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

  • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
  • Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
  • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
  • Life insurance and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Various voluntary benefits and discounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Wellbeing program
  • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Proposed Start Date:September 24, 2026Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:Full timePay Grade:Post DocsOriginal Posting Date:August 19, 2026Posting Close Date:August 25, 2026Job Requisition Number:R19794

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

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