Senior Crop Protection Scientist - Hybrid, Cape Town

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

Benefits offered by this job

Salary & annual bonus

Medical aid

Provident fund

Annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Crop Protection Scientist to join our agricultural research division in Cape Town, Western Cape. The role blends on-site laboratory work with remote data analysis and reporting, supporting pest and disease management across high-value crops.

You will lead projects, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance sustainable crop protection practices in South Africa.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant plant science field.
• 7+ years of post-doctoral research experience in crop protection.
• Experience designing and conducting field and laboratory trials.
• Extensive knowledge of pests, diseases, and weeds relevant to SA agriculture.
• Strong statistical analysis skills; proficient in R/SAS.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and mentor teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; scientific writing proficiency.
• Willingness to travel; valid driver’s license; hybrid work flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and manage field and laboratory trials for evaluating new crop protection products and IPM strategies.
• Lead research projects to identify and mitigate threats from pests, diseases, and weeds in key crops.
• Analyze data, interpret results, and prepare comprehensive scientific reports and publications.
• Collaborate with product development, R&D, and field agronomist teams to implement protection strategies.
• Provide technical guidance on regulatory affairs related to crop protection chemicals and practices.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and technicians in the crop protection department.
• Stay current with literature, industry trends, and emerging threats in crop protection.
• Develop relationships with academic institutions, industry partners, and regulatory bodies.
• Contribute to sustainable agricultural practices that minimize environmental impact.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Leadership

Scientific writing

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in plant pathology / related field

Tools

R

SAS

ARM

Job description

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Crop Protection Scientist to join our agricultural research division in Cape Town, Western Cape. The role blends on-site laboratory work with remote data analysis and reporting, supporting pest and disease management across high-value crops.

You will lead projects, mentor junior staff, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance sustainable crop protection practices in South Africa.