Research Assistant

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Company                 :                                        Topseed Zambia Limited

Position                    :                                         Research Assistant

Location                   :                                         Zambia (Lusaka- involving a lot of travel)

Department             :                                         Research & Development

Reports to               :                                         Research Lead

About the Company

Topseed Zambia Limited is a Zambian Agro business company dealing in Marketing and Distribution of seed and other Agro products throughout Zambia. The main objective of Topseed Zambia Limited is to bring to farmers a broad crop portfolio of top-performing seeds, including hybrid maize, sunflower, soya beans, dry beans, grain sorghum, wheat, and forage crops.

Main Purpose of this position:

Provide support to the Research Lead in the execution of breeding and testing activities including participating in all operations related to nurseries and field trials soil preparation, seed preparation, planting, thinning, insect control, irrigation and field plot management, pollination, data collection, harvesting, shelling and processing of maize breeding projects ensuring accurate handling of seed and adherence to company protocols.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide support to the Research Lead for all day-to-day activities
• Plan, execute and continuously improve the nursery and field trial operations for summer and winter productions
• Coordinate and assist with all field operations including planting nurseries, pollination, data collection and harvesting, as well as all seed processing operations including seed drying, shelling, cleaning, packaging, treating and packet arrangement.
• Use of the breeding software to ensure traceability of the material at all times
• Perform computer-related activities, including hand held data collection, data management, bar coding functions.
• Perform inventory of the seeds at least twice a year ensuring correct labelling, discarding and updating of seed inventory as instructed by the Research Lead.
• Participate in the implementation of new systems to ensure the accuracy of genotype and seed lot traceability (including seeds in nurseries and field trials)
• Use and apply the quality documents and good practices as defined in TOPSEED Quality Manual with respect to Identification & traceability, quality control, movement/transfer/transport, cleaning, destruction, subcontracting activities, storage & inventory, good agricultural practices, labelling and packaging.
• Training, motivating and supervising permanent and seasonal labour.
• Ensure that the seasonal farm workers are trained to perform their jobs correctly, accurately, safely and efficiently whilst using and applying the latest TOPSEED Research rules, regulation and documentation.
• Responsible for projecting a positive image of TOPSEED ZAMBIA LIMITED.
• Respect and treat our confidentiality policy at all times.
• Assists in implementation of site safety programs to ensure a safe work environment.
• Assisting in other projects and perform other R&D related duties as and when required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Required:

·      BSc or National Diploma in Agriculture or related discipline

·      Fluent in English and/or any other Zambian language.

·      Experience in maize seed production or research trials is an added advantage.

Desired:

·      Experience in agricultural research / maize breeding environment.

·      Basic knowledge of crop production, farming practices and field research.

·      Strong IT Tools (MS Word, Excel, Power Point etc.)

·      Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

·      Great sense of activity planning, prioritization and execution.

·      Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively across teams, both written and oral.

·      Ability to innovate and propose improvement solutions.

·      Demonstrate the ability to work in a team environment.

Working Conditions

• 70–80% field-based work.
• Exposure to sun, rain, and dust.
• Extended hours and overnight trips to off-site locations during peak periods required, including living close to some of the trial locations during the growing season.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Ensure good seed returns from all seed production nurseries.
• Accuracy in planting and plot labelling.
• Timeliness of field operations.
• Pollination success rate.
• Zero seed mixing incidents.
• Clean and accurate packing of nursery and trial kits.
• Ability to use IT Tools and Breeding software e.g. Fieldbook, CropStat etc.
• Accurate record keeping and data collection on all assigned maize breeding projects.
• Effective communication on all assigned projects.
• Reach set targets and objectives.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Good organizational ability.
• Innovative.

Deadline for application is 22^nd May, 2026