Soil Scientist - Agricultural Sustainability Lead

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Híbrido; ZAR 900.000 - 1.300.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Flexible working hours

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking a Soil Scientist for a leading agricultural R&D organization. The role is fully remote and focuses on soil health, sustainable practices, and applying research to farming systems. The candidate will hold a Ph.D.

in Soil Science or related field with 8+ years of experience, expertise in soil chemistry, physics, fertility, and data analysis (R/SAS). You will design field and lab studies and collaborate with researchers remotely.

Formación

• PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of soil science research and application in sustainability.
• Strong knowledge of soil chemistry, physics, biology and fertility.
• Experience in designing and conducting field and lab research.
• Proficient in statistical analysis using R or SAS.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct advanced research on soil properties, fertility, health, and degradation.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve soil organic matter, nutrient cycling, and water retention.
• Design and manage field and laboratory experiments on soil management.
• Analyze soil samples and provide recommendations for sustainable fertilization, cover crops and tillage.
• Evaluate environmental impact of practices on soil and water quality.
• Collaborate remotely with agronomists and stakeholders to share findings.
• Prepare scientific reports, papers, and presentations for varied audiences.
• Stay updated on soil science, conservation agriculture and climate-smart farming.
• Contribute to grant writing and project proposals.

Conocimientos

Independent work

Scientific writing

Data analysis

Educación

PhD in Soil Science or related field

Herramientas

R

SAS

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a leading agricultural research and development organization, is seeking a dedicated Soil Scientist to spearhead their initiatives in agricultural sustainability, operating on a fully remote basis. This role is crucial for advancing our understanding of soil health, developing innovative soil management strategies, and promoting environmentally sound agricultural practices across diverse farming systems. The ideal candidate will have a deep scientific background in soil science, a passion for sustainable agriculture, and the ability to translate research into practical, impactful solutions for farmers. This position offers a unique opportunity to work remotely and influence the future of sustainable land use and food production.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced research on soil properties, fertility, health, and degradation processes.
• Develop and implement strategies for improving soil organic matter, nutrient cycling, and water retention in agricultural systems.
• Design and manage field and laboratory experiments related to soil management practices.
• Analyze soil samples and interpret data to provide recommendations for sustainable fertilization, cover cropping, and tillage systems.
• Evaluate the environmental impact of agricultural practices on soil and water quality.
• Collaborate remotely with agronomists, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders to disseminate findings and promote best practices.
• Prepare scientific reports, research papers, and presentations for various audiences.
• Stay updated on the latest research in soil science, conservation agriculture, and climate-smart farming techniques.
• Contribute to grant writing and project proposal development.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in soil science research and application, with a focus on agricultural sustainability.
• Extensive knowledge of soil chemistry, physics, biology, and fertility.
• Proven experience in designing and conducting field and laboratory research.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with statistical software (e.g., R, SAS).
• Excellent scientific writing and communication skills for remote collaboration.
• Ability to work independently and manage research projects effectively in a remote environment.
• Experience in developing and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
• Familiarity with soil sampling techniques and analytical methods.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package tailored for a remote role, along with comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, and flexible working hours. We are committed to supporting our employees' professional development through access to online learning platforms, virtual conferences, and opportunities to publish research. This role provides the chance to work on impactful research that contributes to global food security and environmental health, all from the convenience of your home office in ZA.