Research Scientist (Relocate to Senegal)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Research Scientist – Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation to lead research and field implementation for soil restoration and regenerative crop production in our oil palm plantation project in Senegal. This role will focus on rebuilding degraded sandy soils, improving soil biology, and developing practical systems for sustainable crop growth in arid and low-fertility conditions.

The successful candidate will design and execute applied research programs on soil microbiology, plant biology, and agricultural microbiology, with a strong focus on soil microbes, organic amendments, and biological soil fertility. The scientist will develop and validate field-ready protocols for the use of biochar, compost, vermicompost, mulching, cover crops, and microbial inoculants (including rhizobacteria, phosphate-solubilizing bacteria, and nitrogen-fixing organisms), and support integrated crop and pest management strategies.

This position is critical to the company’s long-term goals of:

• Restoring soil health and fertility in sandy soils
• Reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers
• Improving moisture retention and nutrient cycling
• Establishing resilient and productive oil palm and associated cropping systems

Success in this role will be measured by the development of practical, scalable soil restoration solutions that improve crop establishment, growth, and yield while supporting the company’s regenerative agriculture strategy.

Research Program Design \& Scientific Leadership

• Lead and implement a research program focused on sustainable oil palm cultivation in arid and sandy soil environments.
• Develop innovative and independent approaches for soil restoration, including biological and organic methods to improve soil fertility, structure, and water-holding capacity.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, including troubleshooting challenges in research trials and plantation conditions.
• Design and supervise greenhouse and field experiments to evaluate soil amendments, microbial inoculants, and crop management strategies.
• Establish clear research protocols, data collection systems, and reporting standards for all trials.
• Train, mentor, and lead research and field teams to ensure effective execution of experiments and knowledge transfer.

Soil Biology, Microbiology \& Soil Restoration

• Conduct research on soil microbiology and beneficial soil organisms relevant to agriculture, including: Rhizobacteria (PGPR), Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Cyanobacteria and other beneficial microbial consortia for soil regeneration
• Evaluate and develop biological approaches to increase microbial diversity, nutrient availability, and soil organic matter.
• Study and recommend use of nitrogen-rich materials for soil restoration in low-fertility sandy soils.
• Develop practical methods for introducing and maintaining beneficial microbial populations in field conditions.

Organic Amendments \& Fertility Management

• Develop and optimize application strategies for biochar, compost, vermicompost, mulch, and organic fertilizers.
• Research and formulate organic fertilizer blends suitable for oil palm and companion crops under arid conditions.
• Prepare protocols for composting and biofertilizer production using available biomass.
• Conduct field validation of amendment rates, timing, and methods to improve nutrient use efficiency and soil moisture retention.

Cover Crops, Food Crops \& Regenerative Cropping Systems

• Design and evaluate cover crop systems for erosion control, weed suppression, nitrogen fixation, and organic matter improvement.
• Identify and test suitable food crops and pest-control crops that can be integrated into the plantation ecosystem.
• Develop recommendations for crop rotation and intercropping strategies to support soil health and reduce pest pressure.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) \& Crop Health

• Contribute to integrated pest and disease management research programs, with emphasis on biological and ecological approaches.
• Identify beneficial plant species and microbial solutions that improve crop resilience and reduce dependency on synthetic pesticides.
• Collaborate with field teams to implement and monitor sustainable pest control practices.

Field Trials, Data Analysis \& Reporting

• Plan, execute, and monitor field trials to assess the impact of soil restoration and biological inputs on crop growth and yield.
• Analyze data and prepare technical reports, research summaries, and recommendations for management and operations teams.
• Translate scientific findings into practical SOPs and implementation guidelines for field teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration \& Capacity Building

• Work closely with agronomists, plantation managers, nursery teams, and operations staff to implement research outcomes on the ground.
• Train field teams on organic amendment preparation, microbial inoculant use, mulching, and cover crop management.
• Collaborate with external experts, universities, and regulatory bodies as needed to support innovation and compliance.

Compliance \& Sustainability

• Ensure all research and field activities comply with local environmental and agricultural regulations.
• Promote sustainable, science-based practices that align with the company’s regenerative agriculture and climate resilience goals.

Qualifications \& Requirements

Education

• PhD in Plant Biology, Soil Science, Microbiology, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or a closely related agricultural discipline.
• Candidates with a Master’s degree and exceptional field research experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in agricultural research, with a strong focus on soil biology, soil restoration, and sustainable crop systems.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, formulating, and field-applying fertilizers (especially organic and biological fertilizers).
• Proven experience conducting field trials in challenging environments (e.g., sandy soils, arid/semi-arid conditions).
• Experience in oil palm, tree crops, or tropical agriculture is highly preferred.

Skills

Strong expertise in:

• Soil microbiology and beneficial microbial inoculants
• Soil amendments (biochar, compost, vermicompost, mulch)
• Organic fertilizer preparation and application
• Cover crop and regenerative agriculture systems
• Soil moisture retention and nutrient management in sandy soils
• Practical knowledge of integrated pest management (IPM) and biological crop protection.
• Ability to design and manage rigorous field experiments and analyze agronomic data.
• Strong leadership and team training capability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; French is a strong advantage for work in Senegal.

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of the role of rhizobacteria, PSB, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, cyanobacteria, and other beneficial microbes in soil restoration.
• Knowledge of biological materials used in moisture retention and soil rehabilitation.
• Familiarity with regenerative agriculture principles and practical implementation at plantation scale.
• Understanding of local environmental conditions and constraints relevant to West African agriculture is desirable.