Senior Crop Scientist

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level salary & bonus

State-of-the-art facilities

Health and retirement benefits

International collaboration

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Crop Scientist in Sandton to lead R&D initiatives across crop genetics, breeding, and agronomic practices. You will guide projects, interpret complex data, and translate results into practical applications for commercial farming. The role requires a Ph.D.

in a related field, 8+ years of experience, and strong leadership to drive strategic research in Gauteng. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and contribute to international collaboration and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in a relevant crop science field.
• Proven track record in crop improvement and development.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Experience with data analysis software and field trials.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead advanced crop genetics, breeding, and agronomic research projects.
• Develop strategies to improve yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.
• Analyze experimental data with advanced statistics to guide direction.
• Supervise and mentor junior scientists and technicians.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Crop Science/Plant Breeding/Agronomy/Genetics

Tools

SAS

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a distinguished Senior Crop Scientist to lead research and development initiatives for their advanced agricultural operations based in Sandton . This role demands deep scientific expertise in plant physiology, genetics, and crop breeding to develop innovative solutions for enhancing crop yield, quality, and resilience. You will manage research projects, interpret complex data, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate scientific findings into practical applications for commercial farming. This is a leadership position for an experienced scientist aiming to make significant contributions to the agriculture industry in Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute advanced research projects focused on crop genetics, breeding, and agronomic practices.


• Develop and implement strategies for improving crop yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance.


• Analyze experimental data using advanced statistical methods and interpret findings to guide research direction.


• Supervise and mentor junior scientists and research technicians involved in crop science projects.


• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Crop Science, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Genetics, or a related field.


• Extensive research experience (8+ years) with a proven track record in crop improvement and development.


• In-depth knowledge of plant physiology, molecular biology, and statistical genetics.


• Experience with experimental design, data analysis software (e.g., SAS, R), and field trial management.


• Strong leadership, project management, and scientific communication skills for the Sandton research environment.

Benefits

• Executive-level salary and comprehensive bonus structure.


• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment.


• Generous health, retirement, and wellness benefits.


• Significant opportunities for professional growth and international collaboration.


• Lead impactful research that advances the field of agriculture .