Senior Agricultural Chemist - Crop Protection & Fertilizers

Placements24; Kimberley; On-site; CAD 77,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement fund

Generous PTO

Professional development

Relocation assistance

State-of-the-art labs

Job summary

Placements24 in Kimberley is seeking a Senior Agricultural Chemist to join its R&D division. You will design and optimize formulations for crop protection products and fertilizers, conduct lab experiments, and analyze chemical compounds.

The role requires mastery of organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, and spectroscopy, plus strong problem-solving and written/verbal communication.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemistry, Agricultural Chemistry, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in agrochemical formulation, R&D.
• Expertise in crop protection agents and fertilizers.
• Proficiency in advanced analytical chemistry techniques and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop new formulations for pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to evaluate efficacy, stability, and safety.
• Perform chemical analysis using HPLC, GC-MS, and spectroscopy.
• Optimize existing formulations to improve performance and reduce environmental impact.
• Troubleshoot formulation issues and identify root causes of product failures.
• Collaborate with toxicologists, agronomists, and regulatory specialists.
• Maintain detailed lab notebooks and prepare research reports.
• Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols and QA standards.
• Stay current with literature, industry trends, and regulatory changes in agrochemistry.
• Assist in scale-up of promising formulations from lab to pilot plant production.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Problem-solving

Written & verbal communication

Laboratory techniques

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemistry or related field

Tools

HPLC

GC-MS

Spectroscopy

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent agrochemical company, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Agricultural Chemist to join their Research & Development division in Kimberley, Northern Cape. This role focuses on the formulation, testing, and optimization of crop protection products and fertilizers. You will be responsible for designing and conducting laboratory experiments, analyzing chemical compounds, and ensuring the efficacy, safety, and environmental compliance of agricultural chemical products. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical techniques, and the specific challenges of agricultural applications. This is a critical role in developing innovative solutions that enhance crop yields and sustainability for farmers in Kimberley region and beyond. You will work in a well-equipped laboratory setting and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop new formulations for pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
• Conduct laboratory experiments to evaluate the efficacy, stability, and safety of agrochemical products.
• Perform chemical analysis using advanced techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, and spectroscopy.
• Optimize existing formulations to improve performance, reduce environmental impact, or meet regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot formulation issues and identify root causes of product failures.
• Collaborate with toxicologists, agronomists, and regulatory affairs specialists.
• Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and prepare comprehensive research reports.
• Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols and quality control standards.
• Stay current with scientific literature, industry trends, and regulatory changes in agrochemistry.
• Assist in the scale‑up of promising formulations from laboratory to pilot plant production.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Agricultural Chemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in agrochemical formulation, research, and development.
• Expertise in the chemistry and application of crop protection agents and fertilizers.
• Proficiency in advanced analytical chemistry techniques and instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of chemical synthesis, formulation science, and physical chemistry principles.
• Experience with regulatory requirements for agrochemical products is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently manage research projects.
• Familiarity with agricultural practices in the Northern Cape region is an advantage.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus structure.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement fund and life assurance benefits.
• Generous paid time off and holiday allowance.
• Opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and conference attendance.
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art laboratory facilities.
• Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.