Remote Precision Agriculture Data Scientist

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,994,000 - 2,991,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Health/dental/vision insurance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Precision Agriculture Data Scientist to join a global leader in agricultural technology. You will design and deploy ML models that optimize yields, disease prediction, and planting windows, using data from IoT sensors, satellites, and weather stations.

You will analyze large farm datasets, build predictive analytics, and create dashboards for diverse stakeholders. This fully remote role offers collaboration with an international team and opportunities to advance

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, CS, Statistics, Agricultural Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist applying ML and statistics to real-world problems.
• Proficiency in Python or R with libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas, NumPy.
• Experience with large datasets and distributed computing frameworks such as Spark.
• Solid understanding of SQL and NoSQL databases and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy ML models for predicting crop yields, disease outbreaks, and optimal planting/harvesting times.
• Process and analyze large-scale agricultural datasets from sensors, satellite imagery, weather, and historical farm data.
• Develop algorithms to optimize fertilizer, water, and pesticide applications using real-time data and predictive analytics.
• Create data visualizations and dashboards to communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate data science models into production platforms and applications.
• Conduct statistical analyses to identify key drivers of productivity and environmental impact.

Skills

Data science

Machine learning

Python

R

Statistics

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Data Science, CS, Statistics, Agricultural Engineering, or related field

Tools

Spark

SQL

NoSQL

TensorFlow

Pandas

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in agricultural technology, is looking for a highly skilled and motivated Remote Precision Agriculture Data Scientist to join their fully remote team. This role is crucial for developing and implementing advanced analytical models that drive efficiency, sustainability, and profitability in modern farming. You will be at the forefront of leveraging big data from diverse agricultural sources, including IoT sensors, satellite imagery, weather stations, and farm machinery, to extract actionable insights. Your work will directly impact how farms optimize resource allocation, predict yields, manage risks, and adopt innovative practices. This is an exceptional opportunity for a data-driven professional passionate about transforming the agricultural sector through technology, with the flexibility of a remote-first work environment. The ideal candidate possesses a strong quantitative background, expertise in machine learning, and a keen interest in the unique challenges and opportunities within agriculture. You will collaborate with a diverse, international team of engineers, agronomists, and product managers. We seek an individual who can thrive independently and contribute significantly to our collective goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy machine learning models for predicting crop yields, disease outbreaks, and optimal planting/harvesting times.
• Process and analyze large-scale agricultural datasets from various sources, including sensor networks, satellite imagery, and historical farm data.
• Develop algorithms for optimizing fertilizer, water, and pesticide application based on real-time data and predictive analytics.
• Create data visualizations and dashboards to communicate complex findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate data science models into production platforms and applications.
• Conduct statistical analysis to identify key drivers of agricultural productivity and environmental impact.
• Research and evaluate new data sources, analytical techniques, and technologies relevant to precision agriculture.
• Develop frameworks for data quality assessment and ensure the integrity of agricultural datasets.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the company's data infrastructure and analytical capabilities.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends and advancements in data science, machine learning, and agricultural technology.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Agricultural Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Proven experience (5+ years) as a Data Scientist, with a strong focus on applying machine learning and statistical modeling to real-world problems.
• Expertise in programming languages such as Python or R, and proficiency with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas, NumPy).
• Experience working with large datasets and distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Spark).
• Solid understanding of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL).
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their data science services.
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in the agricultural sector, particularly precision farming, remote sensing, or IoT applications in agriculture.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, essential for a remote team environment.
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and deliver high-quality results on time.
• Strong portfolio of data science projects, preferably in a related domain.

Benefits

This role offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and is fully remote, allowing you to work from anywhere. Our client provides an exceptional benefits package, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement savings plan with company matching, and paid time off. You will have opportunities for professional growth through online courses, conference attendance, and participation in cutting-edge research projects. Performance-based bonuses and stock options are also available.