Careers
🔬 Who We Are
SoilWatch is a climate tech company based in Helsinki, with offices in both Helsinki and Nairobi. We support Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects across Africa, Latin America, and Asia by combining science, technology, and ecological insight. Our work bridges ecosystem restoration, Earth Observation, sustainable agriculture, community engagement, climate finance, and ecological modeling.
We’re a mission-driven team working to regenerate ecosystems, strengthen local livelihoods, and unlock climate finance through scalable, data-driven solutions. Joining SoilWatch means contributing to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges using science and innovation.
🌱 Why Join SoilWatch?
- Be part of a growing international team tackling climate change through ecological and technological innovation
- Apply your skills to real-world challenges with tangible environmental and social impact
- Enjoy flexible, remote work arrangements and a collaborative culture focused on integrity, learning, and impact
**Send your CV, a brief cover letter (or a short paragraph introducing yourself), and links to any relevant code, publications, or projects to info@soilwatch.eu.
Earth Observation Data Scientist 🛰️
🔍 About the Job
We are seeking a Remote Sensing / Earth Observation Data Scientist for a part-time, remote position covering a 4-month maternity leave period starting in July 2025. You’ll play a key role in analyzing satellite imagery and ecological datasets to assess ecosystem health and carbon storage, while contributing to the development of a digital platform for Nature-based Solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyze and interpret satellite imagery and geospatial ecological data
- Design and implement optimized (i.e. stratified random, model-driven) sampling plans for ground data collection of aboveground biomass (tree DBH and canopy height, grass AGB) and soil organic carbon (SOC, bulk density).
- Develop algorithms and modelling approaches for ecosystem monitoring
- Support carbon estimation using Earth Observation and statistical methods
- Manage large datasets with robust quality control procedures
- Prepare clear visualizations and presentations for internal and external stakeholders
- Contribute to the development of a web-based monitoring platform for NbS projects
- Collaborate with our interdisciplinary team of ecologists, data scientists, and climate finance specialists
Qualifications
Required:
- Strong background in Remote Sensing, Earth Observation, Ecology, or a related field
- Proficiency in analyzing satellite imagery: preprocessing, classification, segmentation
- Experience with Google Earth Engine, QQIS or ArcGIS and R
- Familiarity with machine learning or statistical analysis methods
- Ability to manage and analyze large, complex datasets
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Self-directed and comfortable working in a remote, collaborative environment
- Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Remote Sensing, Environmental Science, or a related field
Preferred:
- Experience in calibrating and running process-based ecological models (e.g., RothC, Daycent, DNDC) is a plus
- Experience in doing area stratification using remote sensing and other ancillary environmental datasets and other ancillary environmental datasets
- Familiarity with carbon market methodologies or MRV systems
- PhD or active research background is a plus – opportunities to collaborate and publish in peer-reviewed journals are available
Quantitative Researcher đź“Š
🔍 About the Job
We’re seeking a scientifically trained, quantitatively skilled researcher to support the calibration, validation, and application of process-based models for tracking biomass production, carbon sequestration, and soil organic matter dynamics across diverse land-use and management scenarios.
At SoilWatch, we operate at the intersection of science, climate finance and sustainable development, providing robust and cost-effective MMRV (Monitoring, Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) for nature-based solutions globally. Our work is grounded in deep ecological, social and economic insights into land use change and regenerative agriculture. We already have an operational MCMC-based calibration framework using the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm and are now looking for someone to help refine these models and scale the modeling pipeline. The ideal candidate brings strong quantitative modeling and programming skills, a rigorous scientific mindset, and a desire to make real-world environmental impact.
Your ResponsabilitiesÂ
- Calibrate and validate process-based models using MCMC (Metropolis-Hastings).
- Write, optimize, and debug model code primarily in R (or Python if needed).
- Interpret results in close collaboration with our scientific teams.
- Support model runs and helps develop automation pipelines as the platform scales.
- Help ensure scientific robustness of modelling outputs for climate and development stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Advanced programming skills in R (preferred) or Python.
- Solid scientific background – PhD or current PhD student in applied mathematics, data science, geoscience, environmental science, computational biology, or a related quantitative field.
- Ability to work independently and communicate well in a remote-first team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with process-based modeling, especially soil carbon, biomass production and other ecological models.
- Hands-on experience with Bayesian calibration and MCMC methods.
- Interest in climate finance and sustainable development
What We Offer
- Meaningful work in the climate and development space.
- Flexible part-time role (remote-first), with potential to grow into a full-time position.
- A chance to contribute to scientifically sound, field-ready models used by UN agencies, investors, and project developers around the world.
- A small, agile team where your ideas and work directly shape the product.
Start Your Ecosystem Restoration Journey with SoilWatch Today!
The world needs more innovators and leaders like you, committed to harnessing the power of nature in the fight against climate change. With SoilWatch, you won’t navigate this journey alone.
We invite you to take the next step with us. Let’s delve deeper into how our services can be tailored to your specific project, discuss any queries you might have, and explore the potential for creating impactful, long-lasting, and verified restoration and carbon removal solutions together.
Get excited! You’re about to take a monumental stride with robust scientific rigour and truly make a difference where it is needed most
