Research Agronomist at Mayfly Agri (Pty) Ltd

• An established manufacturer and distributor of agrochemical products is seeking the above to be responsible for supporting the development, execution, and interpretation of agronomic trials to enhance product performance, generate scientific insight, and inform marketing and commercial strategies. The role involves close collaboration with clients, research partners, and internal teams to ensure high-quality data generation, effective technical service delivery, and the successful positioning of products and crop solutions.

Minimum requirements for the role:

• Must have a M.Sc. or PhD in Agriculture, Plant Science, Plant Pathology, Plant Breeding, or a related field
• AVCASA in Crop Protection and/or BASOS/FERTASA certification is preferred
• SACNASP registration or eligibility will be advantageous
• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in agronomic research or a technical role within the agricultural sector
• Proven experience designing and conducting agricultural trials
• Demonstrated involvement in writing or contributing to scientific publications; authorship of peer-reviewed articles will be advantageous
• Proficient in R/RStudio or similar statistical analysis tools
• Must have strong knowledge of plant nutrition, crop production systems, and soil science
• Experience working with liquid seaweed bio-stimulants is highly beneficial
• Familiarity with GIS, remote sensing, and precision agriculture tools are essential
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel regularly
• Comfortable presenting technical information to both scientific and commercial audiences

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Designing, executing, and analyzing agronomic trials.
• Planning, executing, and managing controlled agronomic trials across various crops.
• Developing detailed protocols and SOPs based on current scientific literature and best practices.
• Managing internal teams to ensure data quality, adherence to protocols, and timely delivery of results.
• Performing rigorous data analysis using statistical software (especially R/RStudio) to extract meaningful insights.
• Ensuring trial data is presented in a scientifically sound, visually compelling, and commercially relevant format.
• Providing agronomic and technical support to farmers, distributors, and internal teams.
• Translating trial data and research findings into practical on-farm recommendations.
• Investigating and resolving technical product queries or client complaints and producing clear, detailed reports.
• Maintaining strong relationships with strategic partners, distributors, growers, and relevant industry bodies.
• Staying abreast of emerging trends in plant science, soil health, crop nutrition, and bio-stimulants, particularly seaweed extracts.
• Contributing to internal product development initiatives and supporting expansion of existing offerings.
• Presenting findings at industry events, internal meetings, and scientific platforms.
• Collaborating on written content for peer-reviewed journals, popular articles, and technical bulletins.
• Working closely with the Applied Science Manager and other internal stakeholders to align research priorities with company goals.
• Supporting marketing and sales teams by providing technical input for campaigns and training sessions.
• Contributing to broader innovation and sustainability goals through ongoing professional development and cross-department collaboration.