Soil Scientist - Agricultural Research

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 1,994,000 - 3,157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary and bonuses

Comprehensive health, dental, and visi

Home office setup allowance

Professional development budget

Retirement savings plan with company

Flexible remote work schedule

Collaborative virtual work environment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly qualified Soil Scientist to join a remote agricultural research team. You will design and conduct soil health studies, analyze samples, and develop recommendations to improve productivity and sustainability across systems.

The role emphasizes independent work, rigorous data interpretation, and collaboration with a dispersed team while contributing to environmental stewardship and food security.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience in soil science with a strong publication record.
• Proven expertise in soil chemistry, physics, and biology, and knowledge of soil fertility and nutrient cycling.
• Experience with soil sampling techniques and advanced laboratory analytical methods.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (R, SAS, SPSS) and experimental design.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting and manage multiple projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; GIS/remotely sensed data analysis is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage field and laboratory soil research experiments.
• Collect and analyze soil samples using advanced laboratory techniques.
• Interpret data and generate reports with statistical analyses.
• Develop protocols for soil sampling, analysis, and data management.
• Formulate evidence-based soil management and nutrient strategies.
• Stay current with literature and technological advances in soil science.
• Collaborate with agronomists, plant scientists, and environmental specialists.
• Contribute to grant proposals and research publications.
• Present findings at conferences and to stakeholders.
• Ensure laboratory safety and research ethics.

Skills

Soil chemistry

Soil physics

Soil biology

Data analysis

Scientific writing

Independent work

Communication skills

Remote collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Soil Science or related field

Tools

R

SAS

SPSS

GIS software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is actively seeking a highly qualified Soil Scientist to join their dedicated agricultural research team, operating remotely. This position will focus on advancing our understanding of soil health, fertility, and sustainable management practices across various agricultural systems. The Soil Scientist will design and conduct research experiments, analyze soil samples, interpret data, and develop recommendations to improve soil productivity and environmental outcomes. As a fully remote role, this opportunity requires a proactive individual with excellent analytical and communication skills, capable of working independently and collaborating effectively with a geographically dispersed team. You will contribute to cutting-edge research that informs sustainable agriculture practices, playing a vital role in environmental stewardship and food security. This is an exceptional chance to apply your expertise in soil science to real-world challenges and drive innovation from a remote setting. We are looking for a meticulous researcher with a passion for soil health and a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of agriculture, contributing to solutions relevant to regions like **Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape**.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage field and laboratory research experiments related to soil science, including soil fertility, chemistry, physics, and biology.
• Collect and analyze soil samples for a wide range of parameters, utilizing advanced laboratory techniques and instrumentation.
• Interpret experimental data and generate comprehensive reports, including statistical analysis and interpretation of results.
• Develop and refine protocols for soil sampling, analysis, and data management.
• Formulate evidence-based recommendations for soil management practices, nutrient application, and conservation strategies.
• Stay abreast of the latest scientific literature, research findings, and technological advancements in soil science and agriculture.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including agronomists, plant scientists, and environmental specialists.
• Contribute to the preparation of grant proposals and research publications.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences and to stakeholder groups.
• Ensure adherence to laboratory safety standards and research ethics.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-doctoral research experience in soil science, with a strong publication record.
• Proven expertise in soil chemistry, physics, and biology, with a deep understanding of soil fertility and nutrient cycling.
• Extensive experience with soil sampling techniques and advanced laboratory analytical methods (e.g., spectroscopy, chromatography, elemental analysis).
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS) and experimental design principles.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects simultaneously in a remote setting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex scientific concepts.
• Experience with GIS and remote sensing data analysis related to soil properties is a plus.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• A proactive approach to research and a passion for contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for research-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous allowance for home office setup and ongoing expenses.
• Professional development budget for conferences and workshops.
• Retirement savings plan with company contribution.
• Opportunity to work on impactful research with leading experts in the field.
• Flexible remote work schedule.
• Collaborative and intellectually stimulating virtual work environment.