Senior Agricultural Data Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Home office setup budget

Professional development budget

Health coverage during remote work

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Senior Agricultural Data Scientist to drive data-driven farming innovations from a remote home office. You will design and deploy machine learning models that forecast yields, detect diseases, and optimize resource usage for sustainable agriculture.

Collaborate with agronomists, data engineers, and software developers worldwide, publish actionable insights, mentor junior data scientists, and shape the data strategy for scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in a quantitative field relevant to data science.
• 7+ years of professional data science or ML experience, with agricultural focus.
• Proficiency in Python or R and ML libraries.
• Experience with big data and cloud platforms.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy ML models for yield forecasting and disease detection.
• Analyze large, multi-source datasets from sensors, imagery, and weather.
• Design experiments to validate models and compare approaches.
• Build robust data pipelines for ingestion and cleaning.
• Mentor junior data scientists and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Translate complex results into actionable insights for stakeholders.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Experimental design

Data visualization

Analytical thinking

Remote collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in Data Science

Tools

Python

R

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

Spark

Hadoop

AWS/Azure/GCP

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in agricultural technology and innovation, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Agricultural Data Scientist to join their cutting-edge, fully remote research and development team. This role is pivotal in harnessing the power of data to drive advancements in sustainable agriculture, precision farming, and crop optimization. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying sophisticated machine learning models and data-driven solutions that address complex challenges in the agricultural sector. The ideal candidate possesses a strong quantitative background, deep expertise in data science methodologies, and a passion for applying these skills to real-world agricultural problems. You will work collaboratively with a global team of agronomists, data engineers, and software developers, transforming raw data into actionable insights. This is an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional to make a significant impact on the future of food production through innovative data science, working from the convenience of their home office. You will be instrumental in developing predictive models for yield forecasting, disease detection, resource management, and optimizing farm operations. The role emphasizes a proactive approach to identifying new data sources and analytical opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement advanced machine learning algorithms and statistical models for agricultural applications, including predictive analytics, classification, and clustering.
• Analyze large and complex datasets from various sources such as sensors, satellite imagery, weather stations, and farm management systems.
• Design and conduct experiments to test hypotheses and validate model performance.
• Build data pipelines for efficient data ingestion, cleaning, and transformation.
• Collaborate with domain experts (agronomists, soil scientists) to define key metrics and translate business needs into data science problems.
• Develop and deploy scalable data science solutions into production environments.
• Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through visualizations and reports.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and agricultural technology.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's technical growth.
• Evaluate and select appropriate tools and technologies for data analysis and model development.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the company's data science initiatives in agriculture.

Requirements

• A Master's degree or PhD in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Agricultural Science (with a strong quantitative focus), or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in data science or machine learning, with a significant portion focused on agricultural applications.
• Proven expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, decision trees, neural networks, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong SQL skills and experience with database management.
• Solid understanding of agricultural concepts, farming practices, and data sources.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Superior communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex methodologies and results.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and thrive in a remote, collaborative environment.

Benefits

• This is a fully remote position offering a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health coverage, and a robust retirement savings plan.
• You will be part of a dynamic and innovative team, working on projects that have a tangible impact on global agriculture.
• Our client provides substantial opportunities for professional development, including access to advanced training, online courses, and funding for attending leading industry conferences.
• Enjoy the flexibility and autonomy of a remote role, coupled with a generous home office setup budget.
• We foster a culture of continuous learning and provide access to cutting-edge data tools and resources.
• Join us in shaping the future of farming through data-driven innovation.