Remote Soil Health Scientist - Digital Agronomy

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with company matching

Home office technology stipend

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Remote Soil Health Scientist to advance soil health across diverse agricultural landscapes. The role blends cutting-edge data analytics, digital soil mapping, and predictive modeling to enhance soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and sustainability.

You will collaborate with a distributed team of researchers and agronomists worldwide, communicating complex findings through reports and presentations.

Qualifications

• PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or related field.
• 7+ years hands-on soil science research experience.
• Expertise in digital soil mapping, GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis.
• Proficiency in R and Python; experience with machine learning in agriculture.

Responsibilities

• Develop soil health assessment programs using digital tools, remote sensing, and on-farm data.
• Analyze large datasets on soil properties, crop performance, and environment.
• Create predictive models for nutrient dynamics, water retention, and carbon sequestration.
• Provide data-driven soil management recommendations for diverse environments.
• Collaborate with global agronomists and researchers via virtual platforms.
• Contribute to development of soil health software and analytics tools.
• Communicate findings through reports and presentations.

Skills

Soil health expertise

Data analysis

Remote project management

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Soil Science or related field

Tools

R

Python

GIS

Remote sensing

Machine learning

Job description

Our client, a global leader in agricultural technology and sustainable farming solutions, is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Remote Soil Health Scientist. This fully remote position will play a critical role in advancing our understanding and management of soil health across diverse agricultural landscapes worldwide. The scientist will leverage cutting-edge digital tools, data analytics, and soil science expertise to develop innovative strategies that enhance soil fertility, carbon sequestration, and overall farm sustainability. The ideal candidate will have a strong academic background in soil science, agronomy, or a related discipline, coupled with proven experience in digital soil mapping, sensor data interpretation, and predictive modeling. This is a unique opportunity to work from anywhere in the world while making a substantial impact on global agriculture's environmental and economic future. You will be part of a highly collaborative, geographically distributed team focused on pioneering the next generation of soil management practices through advanced technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced soil health assessment and monitoring programs using digital tools, remote sensing, and on-farm data.
• Analyze large datasets related to soil properties, crop performance, and environmental factors to identify trends and patterns.
• Create predictive models for soil nutrient dynamics, water retention, and carbon sequestration potential.
• Formulate data-driven recommendations for soil management practices, including cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic amendments, optimized for specific environments.
• Collaborate closely with agronomists, farm managers, and researchers globally via virtual platforms.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of proprietary soil health software and analytical tools.
• Stay current with the latest scientific research and technological innovations in soil science, digital agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
• Communicate complex scientific findings and recommendations effectively through written reports, presentations, and virtual meetings.
• Support the global sales and technical support teams with expert soil health knowledge.

Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of hands-on experience in soil science research, with a significant focus on soil health and sustainable management.
• Demonstrated expertise in digital soil mapping, GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., R, Python) and experience with machine learning techniques applied to agricultural data.
• Deep understanding of soil chemistry, physics, biology, and their interactions.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Strong collaboration skills for working within a distributed global team.
• Access to a reliable high-speed internet connection and a suitable home office environment.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a generous retirement savings plan with company matching, and a flexible paid time off policy. The company provides a technology stipend for home office setup and ongoing professional development opportunities, including access to online courses, conferences, and research grants. You will be part of an innovative, mission-driven organization at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, contributing to a healthier planet and more resilient food systems. The freedom of a remote-first role allows for unparalleled work-life balance and the ability to work from virtually anywhere.