Applied Microbiology Lead — Agro Research (Queenstown)

Placements24

Queenstown (MD)

On-site

USD 54,000 - 90,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional development

Modern laboratory facilities

Job summary

Placements24 in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, seeks a Senior Research Scientist in Applied Microbiology to lead projects developing microbial solutions for crops. You will design experiments, analyze microbial communities, and drive innovations in bio-products for soil health and disease control.

The role requires a Ph.D. and 5+ years in agricultural research, with strong molecular biology skills and experience in field trials.

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Microbiology or related field required (Agricultural Science, Soil Science acceptable).
Minimum 5 years post-doctoral or industry experience in agricultural research.
Strong expertise in microbial ecology and molecular biology techniques.
Experience with laboratory-scale and field-scale agricultural trials.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

Lead research projects in applied microbiology for agricultural applications.
Investigate microbial consortia and their impact on plant growth and stress tolerance.
Develop methods for culturing, identifying, and characterizing beneficial microorganisms.
Apply molecular techniques for microbial community analysis (DNA/RNA, qPCR, sequencing).
Design and conduct field trials to evaluate microbial bio-products.
Analyze data, interpret results, and prepare reports and presentations.
Collaborate with agronomists, plant breeders, and scientists.