Trainee Plant Breeder; Soft Fruit

Grow your career in commercial plant breeding

Are you fascinated by plant science, genetics and the journey from a single cross to a successful new fruit variety? This is a rare opportunity to learn commercial soft-fruit breeding from an experienced, world-leading team and contribute to raspberry, blueberry and blackberry programmes with a global reach.

Edward Vinson Ltd has been growing fruit in Kent for more than 150 years. Our business spans breeding, propagation and commercial fruit production. Over the last 40 years, our breeding programme has developed successful varieties supplied to major UK and international retailers. From our base in Faversham, we work with trial partners around the world to create high-value, premium varieties for the global market.

As a Trainee Plant Breeder, you will be a hands-on member of the Breeding Team, working alongside experienced breeders across every stage of the trial pipeline. You will receive practical training and structured development, with the aim of growing into a future Soft Fruit Breeder.

• Establishing new plant material:
  Assist with seed extraction, germination, seedling establishment and propagation across raspberry, blueberry and blackberry programmes.
• Creating new crosses:
  Carry out controlled pollination and flower emasculation in line with annual crossing plans.
• Selecting promising varieties:
  Score and select plants within progeny and trial blocks using commercial measures such as yield, fruit size, Brix and firmness.
• Capturing reliable data:
  Record accurate, real-time trial data using an online platform and help maintain Power BI dashboards and pedigree records.
• Caring for breeding trials:
  Support repotting, pruning and routine plant care in glasshouses, polytunnels and field plots.
• Supporting harvest:
  Pick fruit and assist with harvest and post-harvest evaluations during peak fruiting periods.

• A genuine interest in plant breeding, biology, genetics, horticulture, agriculture or commercial crop development.
• Excellent attention to detail, particularly when collecting data and maintaining pedigree records.
• Clear communication skills and the confidence to work with managers, colleagues, seasonal teams and external trial partners.
• Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Excel.
• A practical, adaptable approach and the ability to learn through hands-on training.
• The physical ability to work on your feet for extended periods in glasshouses and polytunnels.
• A full driving licence, reliable transport, a valid passport and flexibility for occasional overseas travel.
• Fluent English and the right to work in the UK.

• A degree or equivalent qualification in horticulture, agriculture, biological sciences or a related subject.

• Experience in soft fruit, horticultural work, trial scoring, controlled pollination or data management.

Hours:

Full-time, day shift. Flexibility and additional hours will be required during peak flowering and harvest periods.

Location:

Faversham, Kent. You must be able to commute reliably or relocate before starting. Accommodation may be available, subject to agreed terms.

Start date:

Expected 1 December 2026, with an earlier start possible.

Final date to receive applications: 30 September 2026.