Remote Agricultural Data Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Health insurance (comprehensive)

Home office setup allowance

Professional development

Ag tech projects

Flexible hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly analytical Remote Agricultural Data Scientist to join our innovative team. This role focuses on leveraging big data to drive insights across agricultural operations, from precision farming to supply chain optimization.

You will develop predictive models, analyze complex datasets, and provide actionable intelligence to enhance farm productivity and sustainability, supporting Western Cape operations from anywhere in the world.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist with agricultural or environmental data.
• Strong programming in Python or R with data science libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Pandas).
• Experience with SQL/NoSQL databases and data warehousing concepts.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and big data tech (Spark).
• Excellent problem-solving and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain ML models for crop yield prediction and resource optimization.
• Collect, clean, and analyze large agricultural datasets from sensors, satellite imagery, and farm systems.
• Design dashboards and reports to visualize key metrics for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with agronomists, farmers, and analysts to translate data needs into solutions.
• Improve data collection methods and data quality across operations.
• Stay updated on advances in data science and agricultural technology.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

NoSQL

AWS

Azure

GCP

Spark

Machine learning

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Data Science/Statistics/CS

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

Pandas

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly analytical Remote Agricultural Data Scientist to join their innovative team. This role focuses on leveraging big data to drive insights and improvements across various agricultural operations, from precision farming to supply chain optimization. Working entirely remotely, you will be instrumental in developing predictive models, analyzing complex datasets, and providing actionable intelligence to enhance farm productivity and sustainability. This position offers a unique opportunity to apply advanced data science techniques to real-world agricultural challenges, contributing significantly to the future of farming from anywhere in the world, with a focus on supporting operations in the Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain machine learning models for crop yield prediction, disease detection, and resource optimization.
• Collect, clean, and analyze large agricultural datasets from various sources, including sensors, satellite imagery, and farm management systems.
• Design and build dashboards and reports to visualize key agricultural metrics and trends for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with agronomists, farmers, and business analysts to understand their data needs and translate them into analytical solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve data collection methods and data quality across agricultural operations.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and agricultural technology.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience (5+ years) as a Data Scientist, with a significant portion focused on agricultural or environmental data.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and expertise in relevant data science libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, Pandas).
• Experience with database management (SQL/NoSQL) and data warehousing concepts.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and big data technologies (e.g., Spark).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to non-technical audiences.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with remote work flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous allowance for home office setup and professional development.
• Opportunities to work on cutting-edge agricultural technology projects.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate different time zones, supporting our remote-first culture.