Rose Breeding Team Member

At David Austin Roses, we’re more than just a horticultural company; we’re a passionate family business dedicated to breeding and cultivating the most exquisite English Roses. With over fifty years of rich heritage, we take great pride in creating roses that are not only beautiful but also fragrant and charming. Our love for roses and commitment to excellence has made us a beloved name in gardens around the world.

We are seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Rose Breeding Team Member to join our Breeding and Trialling Department at David Austin Roses. This role is vital in the development of new rose varieties, contributing to the innovation and improvement of our garden and cut rose collections. You will work closely with the team of expert Rosarians to breed, evaluate, and cultivate top-quality roses with superior beauty, fragrance, disease resistance and adaptability. The role focuses on undertaking the operations for the department, with a strong emphasis on care and attention to detail throughout every task including accurate recording.

Responsibilities

• Assist in all stages of the rose breeding process.
• Conduct controlled pollinations, accurately labeling and recording pertinent information.
• Germinate and cultivate seedlings, monitoring their growth and health.
• Maintain detailed records of breeding crosses, plant performance, and experimental results.
• Assist with propagation, including obtaining suitable material for budding and own-root propagation purposes.
• Undertake greenhouse and field trial operations and maintenance, including watering, fertilizing, pruning, labeling, potting and pest control.
• Deploy integrated pest management (IPM) and apply chemicals and fertilisers within the glasshouses when necessary.
• Assist with rose trials operations and maintenance, including assessments of new rose hybrids for desired characteristics, such as colour, fragrance, vigour, vase life, disease resistance and bloom form.
• Participate in data collection and digital documentation of breeding and trialling progress.
• Work within the industry regulatory guidelines, with consideration for health and safety.
• Assist with any other required work to deliver the rose breeding and trialling programme.

Qualifications

• An understanding of plant genetics, pollination techniques, and propagation methods preferred but not essential.
• Passion for roses and ornamental plant breeding.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions throughout the year.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent record-keeping skills.
• Proficiency in using horticultural equipment.
• The ability to use spraying equipment; a PA1 and PA6 spraying licence is desirable, but not essential. Training can be provided.
• Physical ability to perform hands‑on plant care tasks, including lifting, bending, and prolonged standing (reasonable adjustments will be considered in line with the Equality Act 2010).
• This role includes working both indoors and outdoors.
• Team‑oriented mindset with good communication skills.
• IT proficient. Training on specific rose breeding software will be provided.
• An ability to be adaptable to changing tasks and good problem‑solving.
• A full UK Drivers Licence is preferred. Tractor/telehandler licence desirable, but not essential. Training can be provided.
• An awareness of biosecurity requirements in a nursery setting.
• Maintain discretion and compliance with our intellectual property protection.

This is a full-time role (39 hours a week), with the core shifts on Monday to Friday, working 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, except for Fridays finishing at 3:30 pm. This includes 30 minutes per day unpaid break and 30 minutes per day paid break. Furthermore, there is a requirement to work 6 days per week from April to June inclusive to support the busy pollinating season. There may also be a requirement to assist with irrigation and other duties over the weekends/bank holidays throughout the year.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave + Statutory Bank Holidays
• Enhanced rates of pay for overtime
• Uniform and PPE provided
• Pension scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Employee discounts

This is a unique opportunity to work within a Breeding Programme at a successful family business that operates at the top of their field with a world‑renowned reputation, a huge customer fan base across the world with the resources to invest in building an even greater company. The role is endlessly fascinating and varied.