Senior Soil Scientist - Lead Soil Health Research

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Conference funding

On-site parking

Professional development funding

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria seeks a Senior Soil Scientist to join its agricultural research team. The role combines fieldwork and lab work to advance soil health, nutrient cycling, and sustainable land management for farmers.

The candidate will hold a PhD in Soil Science with at least eight years of postgraduate research experience, specializing in soil chemistry, physics, and biology, and proficient with ICP-MS, XRF, GC, R, and SPSS.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Soil Science, Soil Chemistry, Soil Physics, Agronomy, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of postgraduate research experience in soil science with agricultural applications.
• Strong knowledge of soil chemistry, physics, biology and their interactions.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute comprehensive soil science research projects focusing on soil fertility and soil health.
• Collect and analyze soil samples using advanced laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
• Interpret complex soil data and provide actionable insights for agricultural practices.
• Develop and refine methodologies for soil testing and characterization.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams to translate findings into practical strategies.
• Conduct field assessments to evaluate soil conditions and management impacts.
• Prepare research reports, manuscripts for publication, and conference presentations.
• Stay current with advancements in soil science, conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
• Mentor junior scientists and provide technical guidance on soil-related matters.
• Ensure safety protocols and lab standards compliance.

Skills

Soil chemistry

Soil physics

Soil biology

Experimental design

Statistical analysis

Scientific writing

Fieldwork

GIS/Remote sensing

Education

PhD in Soil Science

Tools

ICP-MS

XRF

GC

R

SPSS

Job description

Placements24 in Pretoria seeks a Senior Soil Scientist to join its agricultural research team. The role combines fieldwork and lab work to advance soil health, nutrient cycling, and sustainable land management for farmers.

The candidate will hold a PhD in Soil Science with at least eight years of postgraduate research experience, specializing in soil chemistry, physics, and biology, and proficient with ICP-MS, XRF, GC, R, and SPSS.