Remote Agricultural Data Scientist - Predictive Analytics

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Home office stipend

Health and wellness benefits

Training and conferences

Stock options

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly experienced Remote Agricultural Data Scientist to drive innovation through predictive analytics in agriculture. You will forecast yields, optimize resources, and identify disease outbreaks from diverse datasets, working with a global team of agronomists, engineers, and product managers.

This fully remote position requires a PhD/Master's in a quantitative field and 5+ years of ML experience focusing on agricultural data.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Agricultural Science with a strong quantitative focus, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in data science with significant focus on ML and predictive modeling.
• Proven experience with agricultural datasets and understanding of farming principles.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch.
• Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong SQL skills and database management experience.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Publications or open-source contributions in data science or agriculture are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and deploy ML models for agricultural applications like yield prediction, crop health, and disease forecasting.
• Analyze large datasets including satellite imagery, weather data, sensor readings, soil data, and farm records.
• Design and implement statistical methods for time-series, spatial data, and risk assessment.
• Build data pipelines and ensure data quality for model training and deployment.
• Collaborate with product teams to integrate predictive models into user-facing platforms.
• Communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay current with advances in data science and agricultural tech.
• Contribute to R&D for new data-driven ag solutions.
• Mentor junior data scientists and support team growth.

Skills

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Spark

Hadoop

Big data

Education

Ph.D./Master's in Data Science/CS/Stats/Agricultural Science

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge AgTech company, is seeking an experienced Remote Agricultural Data Scientist to drive innovation through advanced predictive analytics. This role is entirely remote and requires a deep understanding of agricultural data, machine learning, and statistical modeling. You will be responsible for developing and implementing sophisticated algorithms to forecast crop yields, optimize resource allocation, identify disease outbreaks, and enhance overall farm efficiency. Working from your own location, you will collaborate with a global team of agronomists, engineers, and product managers to translate complex data into actionable insights that shape the future of agriculture. This is a prime opportunity for a data science expert passionate about making a tangible impact in the agricultural sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and deploy machine learning models for agricultural applications such as yield prediction, crop health monitoring, and pest/disease forecasting.
• Analyze large, diverse datasets including satellite imagery, weather data, sensor readings, soil characteristics, and historical farm records.
• Design and implement statistical methods for time-series analysis, spatial data analysis, and risk assessment.
• Build data pipelines and ensure data quality and integrity for model training and deployment.
• Collaborate closely with product teams to integrate predictive models into user-facing applications and platforms.
• Communicate complex findings and model methodologies clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and agricultural technology.
• Contribute to research and development efforts for new data-driven agricultural solutions.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Agricultural Science with a strong quantitative focus, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in data science, with a significant focus on machine learning and predictive modeling.
• Proven experience working with agricultural datasets and understanding of farming principles.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong SQL skills and experience with database management.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, particularly in a remote team setting.
• Published research or contributions to open-source projects in data science or agriculture are a plus.

Benefits

• Our client offers an industry-leading compensation package, including a competitive base salary, performance bonuses, and stock options.
• As a fully remote position, you benefit from ultimate flexibility in your work location and schedule.
• The company invests heavily in employee development, providing access to advanced training, conferences, and online learning resources.
• You will be part of a globally distributed, highly innovative team working on groundbreaking projects in AgTech.
• A generous home office setup stipend is provided, along with comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership within a rapidly expanding tech company.