Senior Forestry Scientist

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Forestry Scientist to lead R&D in forest management and conservation in Kimberley, South Africa. You will guide research projects, analyze ecological data, and shape strategies for sustainable forestry within the agriculture and forestry sector.

The role requires a Ph.D. in a related field, 8+ years of research experience, and proven leadership to mentor teams and publish findings that inform policy and practice.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive research experience in forestry science.
• Proven track record of leading research projects and publishing findings.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage scientific research projects focused on forest ecology, growth, health, and sustainability.
• Develop and implement silvicultural practices to optimize productivity and resilience.
• Conduct forest inventories, ecological assessments, and biodiversity surveys.
• Analyze datasets using statistics and modeling to interpret findings.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Provide expert advice on forest management, conservation, and restoration strategies.
• Mentor junior scientists and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Statistics

R/SAS

GIS

Team mentoring

Education

Ph.D. in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field

Job description

Our client seeks an accomplished Senior Forestry Scientist to lead research and development initiatives in forest management and conservation in Kimberley . This role is critical for advancing scientific understanding of forest ecosystems, developing innovative silvicultural techniques, and promoting sustainable forestry practices. You will oversee research projects, analyze complex ecological data, and contribute to strategic planning for forest resource utilization and protection within the agriculture and forestry sector. The ideal candidate possesses a strong research background, extensive expertise in forest ecology and management, and excellent leadership skills to guide scientific teams and influence policy, making a significant contribution to the health and productivity of our nation's forests.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage scientific research projects focused on forest ecology, growth, health, and sustainability.
• Develop and implement advanced silvicultural practices to optimize forest productivity and resilience.
• Conduct detailed forest inventories, ecological assessments, and biodiversity surveys.
• Analyze complex datasets using statistical methods and modeling software to interpret findings.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.
• Provide expert technical advice on forest management, conservation, and restoration strategies.
• Mentor junior scientists and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and external partners.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive research experience in forestry science.
• Proven track record of leading research projects and publishing scientific findings.
• Expertise in forest ecology, silviculture, dendrology, and forest mensuration.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., R, SAS) and GIS.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and research funding opportunities.
• Opportunity to lead cutting-edge research in forestry.
• Comprehensive health, retirement, and wellness programs.
• Support for professional development, including conference attendance and training.
• A collaborative research environment with access to excellent facilities.
• Significant impact on forest conservation and sustainable resource management.