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Agricultural Research Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NCAT

Research Associate

Greensboro, NC · On-site +1

... of Research Associate with a track record of work in agribusiness finance, farm risk management ... Primary Function of Organizational Unit North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University ...

DLF

Research Associate

West Salem, WI

Research Associate Location: West Salem, Wisconsin Come grow with DLF! At DLF, we're passionate ... As a global leader in high-quality grass seed for agriculture and turf, we're helping create a ...

DLF

Research Associate

West Salem, WI · On-site

Research Associate Location: West Salem, Wisconsin Come grow with DLF! At DLF, we're passionate ... As a global leader in high-quality grass seed for agriculture and turf, we're helping create a ...

NCAT

Research Associate

Greensboro, NC

Through our Agricultural Research Program and our Cooperative Extension Program, we are able to ... Position Information Working Title Research Associate Position Number 008946 Recruitment Salary ...

Federal Reserve System

Research Associate

Omaha, NE · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

... Associate (RA) with a focus on agricultural economics to be located in Omaha ... The Department conducts innovative analysis and research on a variety of agricultural topics ...

NCAT

Research Associate

Greensboro, NC

... Research Associate with a track record of work on social sciences issues relating to agriculture ... North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's College of Agriculture and ...

Texas A&M AgriLife

Research Associate

Lubbock, TX · On-site

Job Title Research Associate Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Lubbock Proposed Minimum ... College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University * Texas A&M Forest Service * Texas ...

Tamus

Research Associate

Lubbock, TX

Job Title Research Associate Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Lubbock Proposed Minimum ... College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University * Texas A&M Forest Service * Texas ...

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How much do agricultural research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for agricultural research associate in the United States is $32.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $37.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Agricultural Research Associate vs Agricultural Technician?

AspectAgricultural Research AssociateAgricultural Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in agriculture, biology, or related field; research experienceAssociate's degree or relevant certification; hands-on technical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field trials, academic or government institutionsFarms, research stations, agricultural companies
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government agencies, private research firmsFarming operations, agricultural service companies

Both roles support agricultural research, but Agricultural Research Associates typically have more advanced education and focus on designing and analyzing experiments, while Agricultural Technicians perform more technical, hands-on tasks in the field or lab.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Agricultural Research Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Agricultural Research Associate, you need a solid background in plant or animal sciences, research methodologies, and data analysis, usually supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical software (like SAS or R), and data management systems is typically required. Strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These abilities are crucial for conducting rigorous experiments, ensuring data accuracy, and advancing agricultural innovation.

What does an Agricultural Research Associate do?

An Agricultural Research Associate assists in conducting experiments and studies related to crops, livestock, soil, and agricultural processes. They collect data, analyze results, and help develop new farming techniques or products to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. Their work often involves both laboratory and fieldwork, supporting lead scientists or researchers. Agricultural Research Associates also help prepare reports and may present findings to stakeholders or at conferences.

What are some typical challenges faced by Agricultural Research Associates when conducting field experiments?

Agricultural Research Associates often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, pest outbreaks, and variability in soil quality, all of which can affect the consistency and reliability of field experiments. Coordinating with farm staff, managing data collection schedules, and ensuring adherence to experimental protocols also require strong organizational skills. Navigating these challenges successfully is critical to producing accurate research results and contributes greatly to developing practical agricultural solutions.
What cities are hiring for Agricultural Research Associate jobs? Cities with the most Agricultural Research Associate job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Agricultural Research jobs? The most popular types of Agricultural Research jobs are:
What states have the most Agricultural Research Associate jobs? States with the most job openings for Agricultural Research Associate jobs include:
Agricultural Research Associate jobs near you

Research Associate - Precision Agriculture **Havre, MT**

Montana State University

Bozeman, MT • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Montana State University rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

408th of 613 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number
STAFF - VA - 27013
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Ricardo Pinto
ricardo.pinto@montana.edu
406-994-6374
Classification Title
Research Professional
Working Title
Research Associate - Precision Agriculture **Havre, MT**
Brief Position Overview
The Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC) Precision Agriculture Program at Montana State Universityseeks a motivated and skilled Research Associate to support a statewide initiative focused on variable rate fertilizer (VRF) adoption and validation in Montana cereal production systems. The position will be housed at an MSU-affiliated facility. Specific placement can be negotiated based on available capacity and program needs, including options such as MSU's main campus in Bozeman or one of the agricultural research centers (e.g., NARC).The successful candidate will work directly with producers, MSU faculty, Extension personnel, and crop consultants to implement variable rate nitrogen studies, collect and analyze spatial data, generate management zones, develop VRF prescriptions, and support field scale research across diverse Montana environments. This role is central to advancing data driven fertilizer recommendations, improving nitrogen use efficiency, and supporting soil health and profitability across Montana agriculture.
Position Number
4C0164
Department
AES NARC
Division
College of Agriculture/MAES
Appointment Type
Professional
Contract Term
Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA
Exempt
Union Affiliation
Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE
1.0
Benefits Eligible
Eligible
Salary
Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type
LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type
Open
Position Details
General Statement
Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC) is located seven miles southwest of Havre, MT, and is an integral part of Montana State University. NARC is one of the seven Research Centers comprising the Department of Research Centers. Researchers at NARC conduct agricultural field and greenhouse studies, interact with farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, industry, and the MSU Cooperative Extension Service.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Coordinate and implement on farm variable rate fertilizer research studies across Montana in collaboration with participating producers and MSU researchers.
  • Collect and manage spatial datasets including yield monitor data, soil sampling data, terrain attributes, and remote sensing imagery to support VRF prescription development.
  • Assist in generating management zones and creating application ready VRF maps in formats used by industry such as SMS, shapefiles, and ISO XML.
  • Conduct soil sampling following project protocols and coordinate with analytical laboratories for depth specific nutrient analysis.
  • Support evaluation of agronomic, environmental, and economic outcomes of VRF adoption including yield responses, nitrogen use efficiency, and profitability comparisons against uniform rate controls.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for collaborating producers by assisting with equipment setup, data transfer, and field implementation of VRF strips.
  • Assist MSU faculty and Extension agents in delivering outreach activities such as field days, VRF workshops, producer trainings, and creation of decision support materials.
  • Contribute to progress reports, peer reviewed publications, Extension fact sheets, and presentations summarizing research outcomes.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  1. Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy, soil science, precision agriculture, or a closely related field.
  2. Experience working in agricultural field operations or on farm applied studies.
  3. Experience working in agricultural field operations or on farm applied studies with documented experience with large farm operations including equipment, logistics, or field scale activities
  4. Ability to work directly with agricultural producers and communicate technical information clearly.
  5. Strong written and oral communication skills for interactions with researchers, Extension personnel, research center staff, and producers.
  6. Documented experience working alone or in a team environment to accomplish tasks and to desired work outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  1. Master of Science degree in precision agriculture, agronomy, environmental sciences, data science, or a related field.
  2. Familiarity with spatial data used in precision agriculture including yield maps, soil datasets, remote sensing imagery, and geospatial layers.
  3. Experience generating or interpreting variable rate fertilizer prescriptions and management zones.
  4. Experience with geospatial analysis software such as SMS, QGIS, John Deere Operations Center, ArcGIS, or Google Earth Engine.
  5. Knowledge of experimental design, spatial statistics, and yield data processing workflows.

The Successful Candidate Will
  • Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple active field projects.
  • Communicate effectively with producers, consultants, Extension agents, scientists, and stakeholders across diverse agricultural disciplines.
  • Understand and follow detailed written and oral research protocols established by MSU.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships within a team-oriented environment that include faculty across the MSU College of Agriculture, county agents, industry partners, and producers.
  • Show initiative, independence, and a willingness to work in field conditions across varied Montana cropping systems.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
  • Continuation of employment is contingent upon availability of funding.
  • Evenings and/or weekend work will be required as dictated by season, weather, and deadlines.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver's license, must obtain a valid Montana driver's license within 60 days of hire.)

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
  • Be able to work around dust and pesticides.
  • Work in extreme weather conditions.
  • Being able to enter, exit and operate numerous types of research and farm equipment unassisted.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on July 23, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

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