Remote Crop Protection Scientist

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Competitive salary

Professional development

Access to advanced research tools

Global collaboration

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Crop Protection Scientist to join a global leader in agricultural innovation. Based in or connected with Polokwane, Limpopo, you will help develop sustainable protection strategies for crops grown worldwide, leveraging remote analysis.

The role blends virtual collaboration with occasional on-site oversight, enabling cross-disciplinary work with researchers, agronomists, and regulatory specialists.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, Agronomy, or related biological science.
• Minimum of 4 years of crop protection R&D experience, preferably in agrochemical industry.
• Strong understanding of pest biology, disease cycles, weed management, and modes of action of control agents.
• Experience with data analysis using R or SAS and literature databases.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a remote research setting with distributed teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Conduct remote analysis of data from field trials related to crop protection efficacy, crop safety, and residue studies.
• Research and evaluate new active ingredients, biologicals, and technologies for crop protection.
• Contribute to development of product strategies and research plans for new crop protection solutions.
• Analyze pest and disease trends, weed dynamics, and environmental factors impacting crop health.
• Prepare technical reports, scientific publications, and regulatory submission documents.
• Collaborate virtually with field researchers, agronomists, formulation chemists, and regulatory affairs specialists.
• Provide technical support for registration and stewardship of crop protection products.
• Stay abreast of global regulatory landscapes and evolving best practices in crop protection and IPM.
• Develop and refine models for predicting pest outbreaks and disease development.
• Interpret field trial results and provide recommendations for product positioning and use.

Skills

Analytical skills

Remote collaboration

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

PhD or MSc in Entomology/Plant Pathology/Weed Science

Tools

R

SAS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in agricultural innovation, is looking for a highly qualified Remote Crop Protection Scientist to join their dedicated research and development team. This role will focus on developing and refining strategies for effective and sustainable crop protection against pests, diseases, and weeds, primarily through remote analysis and virtual collaboration. You will analyse data from field trials, conduct literature reviews, and contribute to the development of new product formulations and integrated pest management (IPM) programs. While the role is primarily remote, occasional travel for key meetings or to oversee critical field trials may be required, making it a hybrid position. Based in or able to connect easily with Polokwane, Limpopo, you will be instrumental in ensuring crop health and productivity for growers worldwide. We seek a candidate with a strong scientific background in entomology, plant pathology, or weed science, and a passion for advancing agricultural solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct remote analysis of data from field trials related to crop protection efficacy, crop safety, and residue studies.
• Research and evaluate new active ingredients, biologicals, and innovative technologies for crop protection.
• Contribute to the development of product development strategies and research plans for new crop protection solutions.
• Analyze pest and disease trends, weed dynamics, and environmental factors impacting crop health.
• Prepare technical reports, scientific publications, and regulatory submission documents related to crop protection products.
• Collaborate virtually with field researchers, agronomists, formulation chemists, and regulatory affairs specialists.
• Provide technical support for the registration and stewardship of crop protection products in various markets.
• Stay abreast of global regulatory landscapes and evolving best practices in crop protection and integrated pest management.
• Develop and refine models for predicting pest outbreaks and disease development.
• Contribute to the interpretation of field trial results and provide recommendations for product positioning and use.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science, Agronomy, or a related biological science discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in crop protection research and development, preferably within the agrochemical industry.
• Strong understanding of pest biology, disease cycles, weed management, and the modes of action of relevant control agents.
• Experience with data analysis, statistical software (e.g., R, SAS), and scientific literature databases.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a remote research setting and collaborate with distributed teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex scientific information.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements for agrochemicals is advantageous.
• Ability to travel occasionally to field sites or for key team meetings as required for this hybrid role.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage research projects and meet deadlines.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility for remote work and essential on-site collaboration.
• Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in crop protection.
• Work with a globally recognized agricultural innovation leader.
• Access to advanced research tools and scientific networks.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Potential to influence sustainable agricultural practices on a large scale.