Location: UAE / Dubai
Role Overview
We are seeking a Head of Laboratory to establish, build up, and manage our internal laboratory, sampling procedures, testing workflows, and quality control systems across agriculture, farming, water, soil, and environmental operations.
The successful candidate will be responsible for setting up and operating the chemical laboratory, leading laboratory staff, defining sampling protocols, ensuring correct sample collection and preservation, identifying required laboratory analyses, and coordinating with accredited national and international laboratories for external testing.
Key Responsibilities
- Set up, operate, and continuously improve the internal wet chemistry laboratory.
- Manage day-to-day laboratory operations, equipment, chemicals, consumables, documentation, and safety procedures.
- Lead, train, and supervise laboratory staff and ensure reliable execution of laboratory work.
- Develop and implement standardized sampling protocols for soil, sand, water, plant, fertilizer, compost, insect, and environmental samples.
- One very important task is to define the required testing parameters and analytical methods for each sample type.
- Train agronomy and farming teams on proper sampling, labeling, handling, storage, and transportation procedures.
- Ensure sample integrity and chain-of-custody throughout collection, storage, transport, and testing.
- Coordinate with accredited external and international laboratories for specialized analyses.
- Review laboratory results and provide technical recommendations to agronomy, farming, and operations teams.
- Establish internal databases and reporting systems for laboratory and field test results.
- Ensure compliance with relevant international standards, laboratory safety rules, and best practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agronomy, Biology, Microbiology, or a related field.
- Minimum 5–7 years of experience in laboratory management, wet chemistry, environmental testing, agricultural analysis, or quality assurance.
- Experience in setting up and operating a chemical or analytical laboratory.
- Strong understanding of soil, water, and environmental sampling methodologies.
- Experience leading laboratory teams and working with external accredited laboratories.
- Ability to interpret analytical results and translate them into practical recommendations.
- Strong organizational, documentation, leadership, and communication skills.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in agriculture, vertical farming, regenerative agriculture, composting, waste valorization, or environmental projects.
- Familiarity with laboratory accreditation systems, QA/QC procedures, and chain-of-custody documentation.
Experience coordinating testing programs across multiple locations and international laboratories
