About the Role

Seeking 2 agronomic research professionals with 3-5+ years experience who will evaluate (microbial) plant nutrition products and soil health practices & assessment methods, build up our Soil & Plant Lab and design soil-improving cropping systems.

Responsibilities

Lead Applied Research & Innovation

• Design and deliver multidisciplinary research across cropping systems, soil health, and plant nutrient management to identify high-impact, scalable solutions for farmers.
• Assess feasibility, risk, and impact through trials, modelling, and comparative analysis.

Deliver Rigorous Trials & Actionable Insights

• Design scientifically robust trials and experimental methodologies, ensuring data quality, statistical validity, and clear reporting.
• Analyse and synthesise trial results into insights that inform products, practices, and strategic decisions.
• Design of agroforestry cropping systems or lead assessment of alternative (bio-) fertilisers, depending on specific role.

Translate Research into Scalable Farmer Solutions

• Convert research outputs into practical recommendations, decision-support tools (DSS), and operational products.
• Support smooth handover of validated interventions to commercial, extension, and operational teams; present findings to diverse stakeholders.

Provide Technical & People Leadership for Lab and Research Teams

• Oversee soil and plant laboratory operations, including methods, SOPs, KPIs, resourcing, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, mentor, and develop research and laboratory staff, aligning team performance with departmental goals.

Drive Strategy, Partnerships & Organisational Impact

• Contribute to and lead departmental strategies in research, soil health, laboratory services, and extension innovation.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with research institutions, government, and industry to accelerate impact and scale.

Career Growth and Development

We have a strong culture of constant learning and we invest in developing our people. You’ll have weekly check-ins with your manager, access to mentorship and training programs, and regular feedback on your performance. We hold career reviews every six months, and set aside time to discuss your aspirations and career goals. You’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Qualifications

Across all roles, these are the general qualifications we look for. For this role specifically, you will have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Experience in nutrient management and cycling (Nitrogen, Carbon, Soil Food Web) and soil health/fertility assessment.
• Experience designing agroecologically sound cropping systems or working with biofertilisers, especially plant growth–promoting microbes (role dependent).
• Experience applying experimental design and sampling best practices.
• Ability to analyse and model complex agronomic datasets using R, Excel, GIS, or related tools.
• Familiarity with soil and plant laboratory methods, with the capacity to supervise lab operations and quality standards.
• Strong communication skills, including technical reporting and presentations to diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work independently with research partners and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Start Date

As soon as possible

Job Location

Rubengera, Rwanda

Benefits

Health insurance, housing, and comprehensive benefits

Contract Duration

2 Years (Renewable)

Eligibility

One Acre Fund can support a work permit for this role. However, nationals of (or those with an extensive professional background and work history in) our countries of operation are preferred.

• Design and deliver multidisciplinary research across cropping systems, soil health, and plant nutrient management to identify high-impact, scalable solutions for farmers.
• Assess feasibility, risk, and impact through trials, modelling, and comparative analysis.
• Design scientifically robust trials and experimental methodologies, ensuring data quality, statistical validity, and clear reporting.
• Analyse and synthesise trial results into insights that inform products, practices, and strategic decisions.
• Design of agroforestry cropping systems or lead assessment of alternative (bio-) fertilisers, depending on specific role.
• Convert research outputs into practical recommendations, decision-support tools (DSS), and operational products.
• Support smooth handover of validated interventions to commercial, extension, and operational teams; present findings to diverse stakeholders.
• Oversee soil and plant laboratory operations, including methods, SOPs, KPIs, resourcing, and continuous improvement.
• Lead, mentor, and develop research and laboratory staff, aligning team performance with departmental goals.
• Contribute to and lead departmental strategies in research, soil health, laboratory services, and extension innovation.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with research institutions, government, and industry to accelerate impact and scale.

• Experimental design
• Sampling best practices
• Data analysis
• Data modeling
• R
• Excel
• GIS
• Technical reporting
• Presentation skills
• Communication skills
• Teamwork
• Independent work

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• 3-5+ years of experience in agronomic research.
• Experience in nutrient management and cycling (Nitrogen, Carbon, Soil Food Web) and soil health/fertility assessment.
• Experience designing agroecologically sound cropping systems or working with biofertilisers, especially plant growth–promoting microbes (role dependent).
• Experience applying experimental design and sampling best practices.
• Ability to analyse and model complex agronomic datasets using R, Excel, GIS, or related tools.
• Familiarity with soil and plant laboratory methods, with the capacity to supervise lab operations and quality standards.
• Strong communication skills, including technical reporting and presentations to diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work independently with research partners and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.