Soil Scientist - Agricultural Land Assessment & Management

Placements24; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an accomplished Soil Scientist to join our client, a leading agricultural consultancy, in Sandton, Gauteng. The role focuses on evaluating soil health, land suitability, and developing soil management plans to boost productivity and sustainability.

The successful candidate will apply soil physics, chemistry, and biology knowledge, conduct surveys and field trials, provide practical recommendations, and travel to client sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Soil Science or closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional soil science experience in agriculture.
• In-depth knowledge of soil physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Experience with soil sampling techniques, laboratory analysis interpretation, and field assessment methods.
• Familiarity with GIS and remote sensing tools for soil mapping and land assessment.
• Proven ability to develop practical and effective soil management recommendations.
• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed soil surveys and mapping across agricultural landscapes.
• Perform physical, chemical, and biological soil analyses.
• Evaluate land suitability for crops based on soil characteristics.
• Develop soil management strategies including fertilization and liming.
• Assess soil health indicators and improve fertility and structure.
• Advise on land remediation and rehabilitation for degraded lands.
• Help implement sustainable land management plans.
• Conduct field trials for soil amendments.
• Prepare technical reports and client recommendations in Gauteng.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Problem solving

Technical writing

Presentation skills

Independent work

Project management

Travel willingness

Education

Master's or PhD in Soil Science or related field

Tools

GIS

Remote sensing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading agricultural consultancy firm, is seeking an accomplished Soil Scientist to join their team in Sandton , Gauteng . This role focuses on evaluating soil health, conducting land suitability assessments, and developing comprehensive soil management plans to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability for their clients. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of soil physics, chemistry, biology, and their interactions with plant growth and environmental factors. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled professional to contribute to sustainable land use and agricultural innovation in the dynamic Sandton area.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed soil surveys and mapping to characterize soil properties across various agricultural landscapes.
• Perform comprehensive soil analyses, including physical, chemical, and biological assessments.
• Evaluate land suitability for different crop types and agricultural systems based on soil characteristics.
• Develop and recommend soil management strategies, including fertilization, liming, erosion control, and cover cropping programs.
• Assess soil health indicators and propose practices to improve soil fertility and structure.
• Provide expert advice on land remediation and rehabilitation for degraded agricultural lands.
• Assist in the development and implementation of sustainable land management plans.
• Conduct field trials to test soil amendments and management techniques.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for clients in Gauteng .

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in soil science, with a focus on agricultural applications.
• In-depth knowledge of soil physics, chemistry, and biology.
• Experience with soil sampling techniques, laboratory analysis interpretation, and field assessment methods.
• Familiarity with GIS and remote sensing tools for soil mapping and land assessment.
• Proven ability to develop practical and effective soil management recommendations.
• Excellent analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.
• A valid driver's license and willingness to travel to client sites are essential.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, and opportunities for continuous professional development. This role provides significant career growth potential within a reputable consultancy firm. The position is based in Sandton , Gauteng , offering a chance to work on diverse agricultural projects. Join a team committed to advancing soil health and sustainable agriculture.