Senior Soil Scientist: Field & Lab Research Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Access to cutting-edge facilities

Conference attendance

Professional development support

Generous leave and research time

Job summary

Placements24 in collaboration with a prestigious agricultural research institution in Rustenburg seeks a dedicated Soil Scientist to advance soil health and fertility through innovative research and fieldwork.

You will lead projects, perform lab and field analyses, and develop sustainable practices for crop production while preserving soil integrity. The role offers access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities to present at international conferences.

Qualifications

• PhD in Soil Science, Agricultural Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience with publications.
• Expertise in soil chemistry, physics, and microbiology with hands-on instrumentation.
• Experience designing and managing field and laboratory research projects.
• Strong quantitative and statistical analysis skills with proficiency in R, SPSS, SAS.
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute research protocols for soil characterization, fertility assessment, and nutrient management studies.
• Conduct laboratory analyses of soil samples using advanced instrumentation.
• Perform field-based soil sampling and monitoring in the Rustenburg region.
• Interpret data and generate scientific reports, publications, and presentations.
• Develop and recommend best management practices for soil conservation, fertility improvement, and sustainable land use.
• Collaborate with agronomists, plant scientists, and farmers to translate findings into practical applications.
• Stay abreast of advancements in soil science and environmental science.
• Manage research budgets and supervise junior staff or technicians as needed.
• Contribute to grant writing and secure funding for new research initiatives in soil science.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Scientific writing

Communication

Independent and collaborative work

Education

PhD in Soil Science or related field

Tools

R

SPSS

SAS

GIS/Remote sensing

Job description

Placements24 in collaboration with a prestigious agricultural research institution in Rustenburg seeks a dedicated Soil Scientist to advance soil health and fertility through innovative research and fieldwork.

You will lead projects, perform lab and field analyses, and develop sustainable practices for crop production while preserving soil integrity. The role offers access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities to present at international conferences.