Senior Soil Scientist: Fertility & Nutrition Research

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Leadership opportunities in research

State-of-the-art lab facilities

Professional development support

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch invites an accomplished Agricultural Scientist specializing in Soil Fertility and Nutrition to lead soil health research and practical fertilization strategies. You will design field and laboratory trials, analyze soil and plant samples, and collaborate with farmers and agronomists to translate findings into actionable recommendations.

This role offers a competitive package, access to state-of-the-art facilities, ongoing professional development, and potential

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's in Soil Science, Agronomy, Plant Nutrition or closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of research experience in soil fertility and plant nutrition with strong publications.
• Extensive knowledge of soil chemistry, physics and biology.
• Experience designing and executing agricultural field trials and laboratory experiments.
• Proficiency in advanced analytical techniques (ICP, AA, spectrophotometry).
• Strong statistics skills with R and SAS.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex data clearly.
• Independent work capability and leadership in research projects.
• GIS experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Designing and conducting field and laboratory experiments related to soil fertility and plant nutrition.
• Analyzing soil and plant tissue samples to assess nutrient status and identify deficiencies or toxicities.
• Developing and validating optimized fertilization programs for various crops.
• Investigating the impact of soil amendments and management practices on soil health and crop performance.
• Utilizing advanced analytical techniques and instrumentation for soil and plant analysis.
• Interpreting experimental data and generating comprehensive scientific reports.
• Collaborating with farmers, agronomists, and stakeholders to disseminate research findings.
• Staying abreast of the latest literature and tech in soil science and plant nutrition.
• Contributing to grant proposals and seeking funding for research projects.
• Ensuring compliance with laboratory safety standards and research protocols.

Skills

Soil chemistry

Soil physics

Soil biology

Field trial design

Statistical analysis (R,SAS)

Analytical methods (ICP, AA, spectroph

Scientific communication

Independent work

GIS

Driver's license

Education

Ph.D. in Soil Science

Master's in Soil Science / Agronomy

Tools

N/A

Job description

Placements24 in Stellenbosch invites an accomplished Agricultural Scientist specializing in Soil Fertility and Nutrition to lead soil health research and practical fertilization strategies. You will design field and laboratory trials, analyze soil and plant samples, and collaborate with farmers and agronomists to translate findings into actionable recommendations.

This role offers a competitive package, access to state-of-the-art facilities, ongoing professional development, and potential