Research Scientist – Sustainable Oil Palm Cultivation (Senegal)

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Research Scientist to lead applied research on sustainable oil palm cultivation in Senegal. The role focuses on restoring degraded sandy soils, improving soil biology, and developing practical, scalable solutions for regenerative crop production in arid, low‑fertility environments.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement a research program targeting soil restoration and sustainable oil palm growth.
• Develop and validate field‑ready protocols for biochar, compost, vermicompost, mulching, cover crops, and microbial inoculants.
• Plan, execute, and supervise greenhouse and field experiments, ensuring rigorous data collection and reporting.
• Establish standard operating procedures, data management systems, and performance metrics for all trials.
• Train, mentor, and lead multidisciplinary research and field teams.
• Collaborate with agronomy and pest‑management teams to integrate findings into holistic crop‑production strategies.

Required profile

• Advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in Soil Science, Microbiology, Plant Biology, or a related field.
• Proven experience in soil microbiology, agricultural microbiology, and plant‑soil interactions.
• Track record of conducting applied research in tropical or arid agricultural systems.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and experience troubleshooting field trials.
• Leadership experience managing research teams and field operations.

Required skills

• Soil microbiology
• Plant biology
• Agricultural microbiology
• Biochar application
• Compost and vermicompost formulation
• Mulching techniques
• Cover‑crop management
• Microbial inoculant preparation (PGPR, PSB, nitrogen‑fixing bacteria)
• Greenhouse experiment design
• Field trial management

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape a pioneering regenerative agriculture program.
• Collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.
• Relocation support to Senegal.
• Access to plantation research sites and state‑of‑the‑art facilities.