Associate Research Scientist Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Job Description Summary
Organization's Summary Statement: Dr. Kate Tully's Agroecology Lab at the University of Maryland is seeking an Associate Research Scientist with extensive experience in the domains of decision support tools, cover crops, and sustainable agriculture. This position is housed in a lab that explores the interface of agriculture and ecology, where fields, farms, and landscapes promote crop productivity, ecosystem services, and livelihoods. We encourage candidates from a range of agricultural systems backgrounds to apply. Please note that this position is not available for visa sponsorship.
Duties and Responsibilities: The incumbent Associate Research Scientist must be willing and able to take the lead in writing grant proposals to maintain continued financial support for their position, in addition to the following expectations:
• Serve as Program Manager for the Northeast Cover Crops Council, providing support to the governing board by scheduling and conducting monthly meetings, maintaining written documentation of council activities, managing the council website (https://northeastcovercrops.com/), liaising with counterparts in the other regional cover crops councils and stakeholders, and developing/assisting in the development of council activities and products.
• Update and expand the scope of the data in the cover crop species selector and seeding rate calculator decision support tools (https://www.precisionsustainableag.org/decision-support-tools) developed by the cover crop councils in collaboration with the Precision Sustainable Agriculture network; expand tool utility.
• Conduct outreach and training on the Precision Sustainable Agriculture cover crop decision support tools.
• Collaborate with the Agroecology Lab and other members of the Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture to generate grant proposals.
• Collaborate with scientists and graduate students in the Agroecology Lab to participate in ongoing projects as needed.
• Support the training of graduate students in science-based skills such as the development and presentation of research reports.
• Prepare peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports based on outreach and tool development activities.
Physical Demands:
Preferences: A Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science, or a related field with a strong emphasis on cover crops, sustainability, and decision support tools is required. Candidates must have:
• A research background in crop and soil sciences and/or agronomy.
• Proficiency providing organizational support within a laboratory setting with regard to record keeping, grant management (to include writing proposals and reports), and the generation of manuscripts (to include drafting and editing documents).
• Experience with all processes involved in the development of decision support tools for sustainable agricultural practices, with an emphasis on locating, collating, and populating data; conducting quality control on data; and performing tool user testing.
• Proficiency in data collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Airtable).
• A minimum of five years in an Assistant Research Scientist-type role.
• A minimum of ten years working across institutional and state lines with stakeholder-focused organizations to conduct research, create outreach products, and organize outreach activities/adult education opportunities such as train the trainer events targeted to both layman and scientific audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with sustainable agriculture techniques, particularly in row crop systems.
• Familiarity with mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US agricultural systems.
• Demonstrated publication record in relevant areas.
• Experience working across US regions to conduct research, create outreach products, and organize outreach activities/adult education opportunities such as train the trainer events targeted to both layman and scientific audiences.
Licenses/ Certifications:
Additional Job Details
Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science, or a related field with a strong emphasis on cover crops, sustainability, and decision support tools is required. Candidates must have:
• A research background in crop and soil sciences and/or agronomy.
• Proficiency providing organizational support within a laboratory setting with regard to record keeping, grant management (to include writing proposals and reports), and the generation of manuscripts (to include drafting and editing documents).
• Experience with all processes involved in the development of decision support tools for sustainable agricultural practices, with an emphasis on locating, collating, and populating data; conducting quality control on data; and performing tool user testing.
• Proficiency in data collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Airtable).
• A minimum of five years in an Assistant Research Scientist-type role.
• A minimum of ten years working across institutional and state lines with stakeholder-focused organizations to conduct research, create outreach products, and organize outreach activities/adult education opportunities such as train the trainer events targeted to both layman and scientific audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with sustainable agriculture techniques, particularly in row crop systems.
• Familiarity with mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US agricultural systems.
• Demonstrated publication record in relevant areas.
• Experience working across US regions to conduct research, create outreach products, and organize outreach activities/adult education opportunities such as train the trainer events targeted to both layman and scientific audiences.
Required Application Materials: Cover letter highlighting relevant experience and research interests, CV, contact information for 3 references
Best Consideration Date: 8/24/2026
Posting Close Date: 9/01/2026
Open Until Filled: YES
Financial Disclosure Required
For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.
Department
AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape Architecture
Worker Sub-Type
Faculty Regular
Salary Range
$80,000-$99,000
Benefits Summary
For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice
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