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Volunteer Plant Breeding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Conagra Brands

Assistant Plant Breeder

Brookston, IN · On-site

$26.97/hr

Reporting to the Popcorn Breeding leadership team, you will support the development of new popcorn ... Balance: Paid-time off and volunteer opportunities Our Company At Conagra Brands, we have a rich ...

Kelly Services

Greenhouse Associate

Nampa, ID

$14 - $18/hr

... breeding and greenhouse operations. This role involves working with delicate plant materials ... Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision ...

Five Rivers MetroParks

Conservation Coordinator

Dayton, OH

$22.86 - $28.57/hr

... breeding bird surveys, nest box maintenance, bat surveys, wildlife rescue, and nuisance wildlife ... volunteer engagement related to wildlife surveys, vegetation monitoring, bioassessments, and plant ...

Adecco

COUNTER SEASON FIELD LABOR

Sabana Grande, PR

$11/hr

Direct plant operations: conditioning, packaging, inventory management.* Ensure that that all work ... and additional voluntary benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, commuter ...

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How much do volunteer plant breeding jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for volunteer plant breeding in the United States is $19.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a volunteer plant breeder?

Volunteer plant breeders are individuals who contribute their time and skills to improve plant varieties without receiving monetary compensation. They often work with organizations, universities, or community groups to select, cross, and test plants for desirable traits such as disease resistance, yield, and climate adaptability. Volunteer plant breeders can play a critical role in local food systems and agricultural biodiversity by developing varieties suited to specific regions or needs. Their work helps ensure that communities have access to resilient and nutritious crops.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a volunteer plant breeder?

To thrive as a Volunteer Plant Breeder, you need a foundational understanding of plant biology, genetics, and basic horticulture, often supported by relevant coursework or hands-on gardening experience. Familiarity with data collection tools, plant identification apps, and record-keeping systems is typically beneficial. Attention to detail, strong observation skills, and effective teamwork set standout volunteers apart in this field. These skills and qualities are vital for accurately contributing to breeding programs and ensuring the successful development of improved plant varieties.

What are some typical challenges faced by volunteer plant breeders, and how can they navigate them successfully?

Volunteer plant breeders often encounter challenges such as limited access to resources, managing experimental plots with minimal funding, and balancing breeding activities with other commitments. Collaborating with local gardening clubs, agricultural extension programs, or university-led citizen science projects can help overcome resource constraints. Networking with experienced breeders and seeking mentorship can also provide guidance on troubleshooting crop diseases, maintaining genetic diversity, and documenting results effectively. Staying organized and setting clear goals are key strategies for success in this collaborative and hands-on role.

What is the difference between Volunteer Plant Breeding vs Volunteer Agronomist?

AspectVolunteer Plant BreedingVolunteer Agronomist
Required CredentialsBasic knowledge of plant genetics, often no formal degree requiredBackground in agriculture or agronomy, often with a degree or certification
Work EnvironmentResearch farms, seed banks, community gardensFarms, research stations, agricultural consulting settings
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, research institutions, seed companiesFarming operations, government agencies, research organizations

Volunteer Plant Breeding focuses on developing new plant varieties through genetic selection, often requiring basic plant science knowledge. Volunteer Agronomists provide advice on crop management and soil health, typically needing more formal education. Both roles are vital in agriculture but differ in their focus and required expertise.

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Volunteer Plant Breeding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Volunteer Plant Breeding job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,804 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plant Breeding and Genomic Prediction

Iowa State University

Ames, IA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Iowa State University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

386th of 622 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Title:Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plant Breeding and Genomic PredictionAppointment Type:Post Doc/TraineeJob Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to research focused on cover crop improvement, agronomic performance, and plant responses to environmental stress. The successful candidate will conduct advanced data analyses, design and manage controlled-environment experiments, and support the publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Key Responsibilities
  • Analyze agronomic datasets from cover crop experiments using advanced statistical and quantitative genetic approaches.
  • Apply genomic prediction methods to evaluate and improve cover crop performance.
  • Design, implement, and manage climate chamber experiments under shade and other environmental stress conditions.
  • Collect, process, and analyze seedling phenotypic data, including morphological, physiological, and stomatal traits.
  • Interpret experimental results and prepare reports, presentations, and scientific publications.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams and contribute to grant-funded research objectives.
  • Prepare final drafts of research manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

  • PhD in Plant Breeding
  • Experience in design and analysis of field experiments.
  • Experience with analysis of genome-wide marker analyses.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working with crops grown along with cover crops.
  • Experience with design, conduct, and analysis of climate chamber experiments.
  • Experience analyzing plant physiological traits, particularly shade response and stomata traits.
  • Experience working in large interdisciplinary teams.
  • Experience with publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Department/Program & College Description:

The Department of Agronomy in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a nationally recognized leader in crop production, plant breeding, genetics, soil science, and sustainable agricultural systems. The department conducts innovative research that addresses global challenges in food security, environmental stewardship, and agricultural resilience while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and translating discoveries into practical solutions for producers and society

Department Unit/Website:
Agronomy | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

  • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
  • Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
  • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
  • Life insurance and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Various voluntary benefits and discounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Wellbeing program
  • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Proposed Start Date:September 24, 2026Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:Full timePay Grade:Post DocsOriginal Posting Date:August 19, 2026Posting Close Date:August 25, 2026Job Requisition Number:R19794

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

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