Remote Lead Agricultural Data Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Flexible remote work

Conference funding

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Agricultural Data Scientist to spearhead data-driven solutions for optimizing farming practices. This fully remote role in South Africa leads a team of data scientists and analysts, building models to forecast yields, detect diseases, and optimize water and fertilizer use.

You will collaborate with agronomists, researchers, and engineers to translate insights into practical farming tools, while mentoring junior staff and shaping data strategy.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in Data Science or related quantitative field.
• 7+ years in data science, with 3+ years in leadership roles.
• Proven ML and statistical modeling experience for complex problems.
• Strong Python/R with ML libraries; experience in big data & cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of ML models for agriculture.
• Analyze large datasets including weather, soil, satellite, sensor data.
• Develop predictive models for crop yield, pest/disease detection, resource optimization.
• Collaborate with agronomists, researchers, and software engineers to apply insights.
• Mentor junior data scientists and guide a collaborative team environment.
• Define data strategies and architectures for agricultural data platforms.
• Present findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including execs.
• Stay updated on data science and agri- tech advancements.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and security through lifecycle.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Education

PhD or Master’s in Data Science/CS/Statistics/Agri science

Tools

Python

R

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Scikit-learn

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

Geospatial tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a visionary Lead Agricultural Data Scientist to spearhead innovative data-driven solutions for optimizing agricultural practices. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to work from anywhere within South Africa while making a significant impact on global agriculture. You will lead a team of data scientists and analysts, developing advanced models and algorithms to interpret complex agricultural datasets. Your work will focus on predicting crop yields, identifying disease outbreaks, optimizing resource allocation (water, fertilizer), and enhancing overall farm efficiency through sophisticated data analysis. This role requires a blend of deep technical expertise and a passion for agricultural innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of machine learning models and statistical algorithms for agricultural applications.
• Analyze large, diverse datasets including weather patterns, soil conditions, satellite imagery, and sensor data.
• Develop predictive models for crop yield forecasting, pest and disease detection, and resource optimization.
• Collaborate with agronomists, researchers, and software engineers to integrate data insights into practical farming solutions.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Define data strategies and architectures for agricultural data platforms.
• Present complex findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including executive leadership.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and agricultural technology.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and security throughout the data lifecycle.
• Drive the adoption of data-driven decision-making across the organization.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Agricultural Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data science, with at least 3 years in a leadership or lead role.
• Proven experience in applying machine learning and statistical modeling techniques to complex problems.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Familiarity with agricultural data sources and challenges (e.g., geospatial data, sensor networks).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team.
• Experience working in a remote team environment is highly preferred.

Benefits

As a fully remote position, our client offers unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance. You will receive a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and generous paid time off. We provide a cutting-edge technology stack and continuous learning opportunities, including funding for conferences and training. You'll have the chance to work on impactful projects that shape the future of agriculture, collaborating with a global network of experts. The opportunity to lead and innovate from the comfort of your own home makes this a unique and rewarding career move.