Research Associate

Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DUDA, established in 2006 to manage the company’s legacy fresh produce operations. Capitalizing on a tradition begun in 1926 of growing healthy fresh fruits and vegetables, Duda Farm Fresh Foods offers year-round availability of a wide range of products packed under the Dandy® brand. A full-service grower, packer, shipper, marketer, importer and exporter of farm fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh-cut vegetables, its operations are geographically diversified. The Florida-based corporation has production and shipping operations in Florida, California, Arizona, Michigan and Georgia with additional domestic and international locations. 

Research Associate (8427)

Duda Farm Fresh Foods is currently looking for a Research Associate to join their Research and Development team in Salinas, California. The ideal candidate will be part of a large intricate celery breeding program that provides technical assistance to the celery and radish breeding programs. This position is responsible for assisting in all technical aspects of the breeding programs, including, but not limited to, assisting with the filling of trial seed packets, sowing seed in the greenhouses and cages, planting selections from the breeding programs, performing hand pollinations for the radish breeding program, monitoring the greenhouse and cages in the greenhouse yard and Island for any plant health issues and communicating any issues to a supervisor, harvesting seed from selections and research cages, cleaning research seed, conducting germination tests, and any other day to day activities warranted by the breeding programs. This position reports to Assistant Manager, Seed Operations and is located in Salinas, California.

Essential job responsibilities:

• Monitoring the greenhouse and cages in the greenhouse yard and Island for any plant health issues and communicating any issues to a supervisor.     
• Harvesting and cleaning seed from selections and research cages.
• Conducting germination tests and accurately recording the results.
• Sowing seed in the greenhouses and cages, planting selections from the breeding programs, and performing hand pollinations for the radish breeding program.
• Assist with the packaging of trial seed.  
• Evaluate seed crops to ensure purity and trueness to variety with a priority on hybrids but inclusive of OP's (especially the male parents). Work with the team to ensure protocols are maintained and/or improve purity and seed quality.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• High School diploma required
• Agriculture or demonstrated interest in agriculture preferred
• Valid CA driver's license
• 1+ year of greenhouse or seed company working experience preferred
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel preferred

Working Conditions:

• Working environment will include office, warehouse, cold room, laboratory and field.
• Bilingual preferred but not required.
• Works well on own and in a team environment.
• Must be willing to work outside of normal business hours (8:00AM-5:00PM) and weekends when necessary.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. We expect and require the cooperation of all employees in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free work environment. We offer an excellent benefit package as part of our total compensation including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401K, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement program, paid time off and much more. 

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Duda is an equal opportunity employer.  We offer a full benefit package, competitive wages, and career advancement.  No agencies please.