Data Scientist - Agricultural Technology

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical & pension

PTO & development

Cutting-edge tech environment

Impact on sustainability

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly analytical Data Scientist to join an Agricultural Technology team in Stellenbosch. You will work with large datasets from sensors, satellite imagery, and historical farming data to build predictive models and derive actionable insights.

The role offers a hybrid work environment with office collaboration and remote flexibility, enabling you to contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security through data-driven solutions.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a quantitative field or related discipline.
• Proven experience in data mining, modeling, and ML techniques.
• Proficiency in Python or R and data manipulation libraries.
• Experience with big data technologies and cloud platforms (Spark, AWS, Azure) is a plus.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; hybrid Stellenbosch setting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement ML models for predictive analytics on crop health, yield forecasting, and pest detection.
• Clean, process and analyze large, complex datasets from diverse agricultural sources.
• Design data visualizations and dashboards for stakeholders including farmers and agronomists.
• Collaborate with agricultural experts and software engineers to integrate data-driven solutions.
• Stay current with advances in data science, ML, and agricultural technology trends.
• Contribute to data collection strategies and data quality.

Skills

Data mining

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Python

R

Education

Master's or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Agricultural Science with a quantitative focus, or related field

Tools

Spark

AWS

Azure

Pandas

dplyr

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly analytical Data Scientist to join their innovative Agricultural Technology team in Stellenbosch . This role is essential for leveraging data to optimize crop yields, improve farm management practices, and develop sustainable agricultural solutions. You will work with large datasets from various sources, including sensors, satellite imagery, and historical farming data, to build predictive models and derive actionable insights. Join a forward-thinking company at the intersection of technology and agriculture, contributing to the future of food production in a hybrid work environment that blends office collaboration with remote flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement machine learning models for predictive analytics related to crop health, yield forecasting, and pest detection.
• Clean, process, and analyze large, complex datasets from diverse agricultural sources.
• Design and build data visualizations and dashboards to communicate insights effectively to stakeholders, including farmers and agronomists.
• Collaborate with agricultural experts and software engineers to integrate data-driven solutions into existing platforms.
• Stay current with advancements in data science, machine learning, and agricultural technology trends.
• Contribute to the design of data collection strategies and infrastructure to ensure data quality and relevance.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Agricultural Science with a quantitative focus, or a related field.
• Proven experience in data mining, statistical modeling, and machine learning techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with data manipulation libraries (e.g., Pandas, dplyr).
• Experience with big data technologies and cloud platforms (e.g., Spark, AWS, Azure) is a plus.
• Strong understanding of agricultural practices and challenges is highly advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, comfortable working in a hybrid setting in Stellenbosch .

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with annual performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, pension, and wellness benefits.
• Generous paid time off and opportunities for professional development.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and a collaborative, innovative work environment.
• The chance to make a significant impact on sustainable agriculture and food security.