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Usda Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

R&D Scientist

Ames, IA

The R&D Scientist designs and performs in vitro and in vivo studies, develops and optimizes ... Experience working in a USDA APHIS-regulated environment is preferred and considered very helpful.

Umd

Research Specialist

College Park, MD

$83K - $99K/yr

Prior experience working with USDA Prior experience with research administration in higher education Prior experience planning and managing meetings and events Ability to engage with internal and ...

USDA

Materials Handler (Fire Support)

Denver, CO · On-site

$17.25 - $20.75/hr

Fleet Manager Serves as a NISC fleet manager responsible for coordinating with GSA and USDA Fleet ... Conduct spot, cyclic and annual inventories of stock on hand, perform causative research and ...

Tamus

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Temple, TX · On-site +1

Enhancing APEX for simulating environmental and economic impacts of CAFO operations using the APEX model, funded by USDA-NRCS. Texas A&M AgriLife Research is seeking a highly motivated and innovative ...

Integrated Resources INC

Research Associate-I

Cincinnati, OH · On-site

$17.25 - $23.75/hr

Ensuring the highest standards of biomedical research & development are upheld & carried out by meeting the standards of USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), AAALAC (Association for ...

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How much do usda research jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for usda research in the United States is $22.22, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a USDA Researcher?

A USDA Researcher is a scientist or specialist who works for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducting studies related to agriculture, food safety, natural resources, and rural development. Their work helps improve farming practices, ensure food quality, and address environmental challenges. USDA Researchers may specialize in areas such as plant science, animal health, soil conservation, or biotechnology. Their research supports the mission of the USDA to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure a safe, plentiful food supply for the nation.

What is the difference between Usda Research vs USDA Agricultural Technician?

AspectUsda ResearchUSDA Agricultural Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in agriculture, biology, or related fields; research experienceHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical training often preferred
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research farms, field sitesFieldwork, farm settings, laboratories
Employer & Industry UsageResearch agencies, government labs, universitiesUSDA field offices, agricultural agencies
Common Search & ComparisonResearch roles, scientific work, lab positionsFieldwork, farm support, technical assistance

USDA Research positions focus on scientific research, data analysis, and experimental work often requiring higher education and research experience. In contrast, USDA Agricultural Technicians typically perform field and technical support tasks with less emphasis on advanced degrees. Both roles serve the agricultural sector but differ in responsibilities, credentials, and work environments.

What types of collaborative projects do USDA research scientists typically work on, and how do these collaborations impact daily responsibilities?

USDA research scientists frequently collaborate with academic institutions, industry partners, and other government agencies on projects addressing agricultural challenges such as crop improvement, food safety, and environmental sustainability. These collaborations often involve multidisciplinary teams, requiring regular communication, joint data analysis, and co-authorship of reports and publications. As a result, a typical workweek may include team meetings, lab work, field studies, and coordination with external partners, offering a dynamic and engaging work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a USDA Research Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a USDA Research Scientist, you need a strong background in agricultural science, biology, or a related field, typically supported by at least a master's or doctoral degree. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical analysis software (like SAS or R), and scientific publishing platforms is essential. Strong analytical thinking, collaboration, and written communication skills help you design experiments, work in multidisciplinary teams, and share findings effectively. These skills are crucial for advancing agricultural research, securing grant funding, and contributing to evidence-based policy and innovation.
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Usda Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Usda Research job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% As Needed, and 67% Full Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,222 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Postdoctoral Researcher AF7795

The OSU/A&M System

Stillwater, OK • On-site

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Campus

OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email

Dr. Yuting Zhou, yuting.zhou@okstate.edu

Work Schedule

TBD

Appointment Length

12 months or less

Hiring Range

Commensurate with education and experience

Priority Application Date

While applications will be accepted until a successful candidate has been hired, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials by May 20, 2026, to ensure full consideration.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested applicants should submit:
1) Cover Letter: a one-page summary of research expertise specifically related to the project
2) a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) including educational background, research experience, publications, and contact information for three or more professional references
Questions about this position can be directed to Dr. Yuting Zhou (yuting.zhou@okstate.edu) and Dr. Pradeep Wagle (pradeep.wagle@usda.gov).

About this Position

For a collaborative project between Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center (OCPARC) at the USDA-ARS, El Reno, OK (https://www.ars.usda.gov/plains-area/el-reno-ok/ocparc/) and the Department of Geography at Oklahoma State University (https://cas.okstate.edu/geography/), we are seeking a motivated Post-doctoral Researcher. This role focuses on quantifying the complex interactions between management practices, cropping systems, and weather variability on carbon and water cycles across diverse agroecosystems, including native prairie and tame pastures, winter wheat, alfalfa, and different summer cash or cover crops.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will hold a 100% research appointment and will be located at the USDA-ARS, El Reno, OK. The candidate will also work with collaborative teams at the University of Oklahoma. By synthesizing eddy flux data from an unparalleled network of 17 eddy covariance (EC) towers at the USDA-ARS, El Reno, OK with multi-source satellite remote sensing (e.g., Landsat, Sentinel, and CubeSats), high-resolution UAV imagery, and site-specific meteorological records, the researcher will evaluate resource use efficiency in various agroecosystems, specifically light, carbon, and water use efficiency, under varying land-use intensities (e.g., burning, grazing, and till vs. no-till, irrigated vs. rainfed). The researcher will contribute to the development of predictive agroecosystem models designed to optimize agricultural productivity while enhancing environmental resilience. The successful candidate will be jointly supervised by Dr. Yuting Zhou (Oklahoma State University) and Dr. Pradeep Wagle (USDA-ARS).

Salary and benefits:

Salary will be commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications, and is contingent on available funding. Benefits include comprehensive medical plans. Information on benefits can be found at https://hr.okstate.edu/benefits/index.html.

Employment conditions:

This is a full-time (100%), 12-month temporary research, non-tenure track position. An extension for a second year is possible, contingent upon the successful performance of the candidate and available funding. Ideal start date is June 1, 2026.

About OSU:

Oklahoma State University is a Carnegie Tier-1 university with excellent research facilities. Oklahoma State University is located in Stillwater, OK, rated as the friendliest college town in the U.S. Because of its mid-continent location that spans a broad expanse of habitats, Oklahoma has both prairie and forest ecosystems that support an exceptional level of biodiversity.

Required Qualifications
  • Ph.D. degree (at the time of appointment) in biometeorology, geography, ecology, agronomy, remote sensing, or a closely related field.
    (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)

  • Familiarity with field measurements, field sampling, and high-performance computing environments.

  • Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:
    • Strong programming and statistical skills (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB) for handling large, complex eddy fluxes, meteorological records, and remote sensing data.
    • Proven ability to work both independently and in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary setting.
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills, evidenced by first-author peer-reviewed publications in reputed journals.  

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