Laboratory Assistant
Are you keen to apply cutting edge data science and bioinformatics techniques to drive advancement?
Would you like to be part of developing high-performing, market-leading vegetable varieties?
Keen to join an innovative vegetable breeding team?
As a member of the Sakata EMEA molecular biology team, you will be responsible for the analysis of large datasets and the development of bioinformatic pipelines. Your contribution to the team will ensure that the research team is able to develop varieties that satisfy the needs of customers across the region and beyond.
What will you do?
You will work closely with the marker scientists in the marker discovery process.
Writing scripts in R, Python and Bash to process and analyze large data sets.
Developing and applying computational tools to support breeding programmes.
Where will you work?
You will be based in South Africa at the company`s research facility in Lanseria, just west of Johannesburg.
You will be joining a dynamic, multicultural team of researchers operating within EMEA.
Do you fit this profile?
You have:
a Master’s Degree specializing in Bioinformatics
a background in Genetics and plant sciences
a high level of English, both written and spoken
a good sense of service and are able to deal with deadlines
the ability to write scripts and develop pipelines in R, Python and Bash to process and analyze large datasets
your own vehicle
You are:
a fast learner and comfortable in taking initiative
a team player who finds it easy to communicate and collaborate within the team and with other departments
service-orientated, well organized and able to work autonomously
able to work within deadlines, with good personal time management
Do you want to know more about the company?
You will work for the research team of Sakata EMEA, part of the Sakata Group. What makes Sakata different, is that while being a key international player in the seed business, the company has retained a family spirit.
This means 3 things:
it’s a people-oriented company where it is easy to communicate at all levels
you will work closely with your colleagues and customers and will never be far from the fields
as a result of its Japanese origins, you'll be working for a stable company with an emphasis on long-term culture.
What are the next steps?
1. Send your application (Resume and Cover letter) to [email protected] before 25/09/2026
2. First contact with Monique (HR Manager)
3. Interview with Monique and Julia, Project Manager
4. An interview with Schalk, Head of EMEA Laboratories and a senior member of the EMEA Research team