Remote Soil Scientist - Digital Agriculture Solutions

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,494,000 - 2,324,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Performance-based bonuses

Remote work from home

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly qualified Remote Soil Scientist to join our innovative team. You will develop and refine soil analysis algorithms, interpret soil data from various sources, and provide actionable recommendations for optimizing soil health and crop nutrition.

This fully remote position emphasizes data-driven decisions and collaboration with software and data science teams. The ideal candidate holds a Master’s or PhD in soil-related fields with 5+ years of experience, strong

Qualifications

• A Master's degree or PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a related field with a strong focus on soil chemistry, physics, and/or biology.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in soil science, with demonstrable experience in data analysis and digital agriculture.
• Proven ability to work with and interpret large datasets from various sources, including remote sensing (satellite imagery, LiDAR) and sensor networks.
• Familiarity with soil modeling software and statistical analysis packages (e.g., R, Python, SAS).
• Experience with GIS software and remote sensing platforms is highly desirable.
• Excellent understanding of crop nutrient requirements and fertilizer management principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, suitable for a remote working environment.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a virtual environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and refine models for soil property prediction using remote sensing, proximal sensing, and other digital data sources.
• Analyze and interpret complex soil datasets to provide precise nutrient management and soil health recommendations.
• Collaborate with software developers and data scientists to integrate soil science insights into digital farming platforms.
• Provide expert guidance on soil sampling strategies and data collection protocols for remote and field-based operations.
• Conduct virtual field assessments and provide remote support to clients and agronomic teams.
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies and methodologies in digital soil science.
• Contribute to the development of soil-related features and tools within the company's digital products.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation on soil analysis and recommendations.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and industry trends in soil science and digital agriculture.
• Assist in troubleshooting and improving the accuracy of soil-related algorithms and outputs.

Skills

Data analysis

Remote collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Master's/PhD in Soil Science or related

PhD in related field

Tools

R

Python

SAS

GIS

Remote sensing platforms

Job description

About the Role

Our client is revolutionizing agriculture through digital solutions and is seeking a highly motivated Remote Soil Scientist to join their innovative team. This position is fully remote, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will be instrumental in developing and refining soil analysis algorithms, interpreting soil data from various sources (e.g., remote sensing, ground sensors), and providing actionable recommendations for optimizing soil health and crop nutrition. The role requires a deep understanding of soil chemistry, physics, and biology, coupled with proficiency in data science and digital platforms. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of sustainable agriculture on a global scale, working with cutting-edge technology without the constraints of a traditional office environment. We are looking for a forward-thinking professional passionate about leveraging data to improve soil management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and refine models for soil property prediction using remote sensing, proximal sensing, and other digital data sources.
• Analyze and interpret complex soil datasets to provide precise nutrient management and soil health recommendations.
• Collaborate with software developers and data scientists to integrate soil science insights into digital farming platforms.
• Provide expert guidance on soil sampling strategies and data collection protocols for remote and field-based operations.
• Conduct virtual field assessments and provide remote support to clients and agronomic teams.
• Research and evaluate emerging technologies and methodologies in digital soil science.
• Contribute to the development of soil-related features and tools within the company's digital products.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and documentation on soil analysis and recommendations.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature and industry trends in soil science and digital agriculture.
• Assist in troubleshooting and improving the accuracy of soil-related algorithms and outputs.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a related field with a strong focus on soil chemistry, physics, and/or biology.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in soil science, with demonstrable experience in data analysis and digital agriculture.
• Proven ability to work with and interpret large datasets from various sources, including remote sensing (satellite imagery, LiDAR) and sensor networks.
• Familiarity with soil modeling software and statistical analysis packages (e.g., R, Python, SAS).
• Experience with GIS software and remote sensing platforms is highly desirable.
• Excellent understanding of crop nutrient requirements and fertilizer management principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, suitable for a remote working environment.
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a virtual environment.

Benefits

This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, a retirement savings plan, and performance-based bonuses. Enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of working from home while contributing to a leading-edge agricultural technology company. Our client invests in employee growth through professional development opportunities and access to advanced training resources. You will be part of a globally distributed, innovative team dedicated to making a real difference in sustainable food production. This role provides the unique advantage of applying your scientific expertise without geographical limitations, influencing farming practices worldwide.