Lead R Engineer / Data Scientist - Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Morris Sinclair Recruitment; City Of London; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Lead R Data Science Engineer for a UK-based client focused on Integrated Pest Management solutions. The role involves leading technical best practices in R package design, collaborating with a sustainability team, and applying scientific research to develop innovative solutions. Ideal candidates will have strong backgrounds in R programming, version control, and GIS systems, offering a chance to work in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in informatics/life sciences, or relevant experience.
• Deep knowledge of R programming and package development.
• Proficiency in managing dependencies in R production environments.
• Experience with version control and CI/CD systems.
• Comfort in a dynamic startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical best practices in R package design and code architecture.
• Guide team members in code architecture and development standards.
• Serve as technical authority for spatial analytics tasks.
• Collaborate with engineering on code design and versioning.

Skills

Deep knowledge of R programming and package development

Strong background in version control systems

GIS systems and spatial data analysis

Leadership experience

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Master's degree or PhD in informatics or life sciences

Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of relevant industry experience

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Docker

Python

JavaScript

Job description

Overview

Remote role with a Central London office (UK-based; fully remote role but must be UK based and not require a visa to work).

Lead R Data Science Engineer - Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Research & Solutions

The Organisation

Our client develops cutting-edge navigator software for the global agricultural sector, helping farmers transition toward more sustainable practices through science-backed analytics. Their software provides direct access to advanced sustainability models and insights.

Their Sustainability division consists of specialised Research Software Engineers who transform scientific findings into practical models for farmers and land managers, enabling them to understand their systems better and build more sustainable, profitable operations.

Position Overview

We\'re seeking an experienced Data Engineer to join our client\'s Sustainability team as a lead technical specialist in our R-focused Research Software Engineering group to specialise particularly in Integrated Pest Management. You\'ll create and maintain the technical infrastructure that enables our sustainability experts and data scientists to develop innovative agricultural sustainability solutions to solve global issues in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Core Functions

• Lead technical best practices across R package design, code architecture, documentation, and dependency management
• Establish and oversee versioning and CI/CD systems to enhance team workflows
• Guide team members in code architecture, development standards, and deployment processes
• Serve as the technical authority for computationally demanding tasks, especially spatial analytics and GIS-based product development
• Implement scientific research findings around Integrated Pest Management (IPM) into production-ready code
• Collaborate with our Engineering department to align code design, versioning strategies, and release cycles

Essential Qualifications

• Master\'s degree and / or PhD or equivalent in informatics or life sciences (or bachelor\'s degree with 5+ years relevant industry experience)
• Deep knowledge of R programming and package development
• Proven experience managing dependencies and ensuring reproducibility in R production environments
• Strong background in version control systems and CI/CD implementation
• History of successful collaboration with IT teams on data science workflows
• Proficiency with Windows and/or Linux environments
• Experience with GIS systems and spatial data analysis
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities and adaptability
• Leadership experience with strong communication skills
• Structured approach to quantitative challenges
• Comfort working in a dynamic startup environment

Qualifications

• Microsoft Azure experience, particularly R integration
• Application containerization knowledge (Docker, etc.)
• Familiarity with Python, JavaScript, C++, bash, or other languages
• Web application development experience (React, .NET)
• Background in data security and IP protection workflows
• Knowledge of environmental sustainability concepts (carbon footprinting, lifecycle analysis, environmental modeling)
• Experience in agricultural or land management sectors with a background specifically in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

If you are based in the UK and meet the criteria listed then apply now! The Morris Sinclair team will give you a call.