Agricultural Assistant II

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University is seeking an Agricultural Assistant II to support field, greenhouse, and precision agriculture research activities within a Field Crop Plant Pathology laboratory. This position plays an important role in advancing applied agricultural research focused on crop production, pest management, and emerging technologies. The Agricultural Assistant II will contribute to field and controlled environment studies, support drone and precision agriculture operations, and assist with research data collection and project coordination. Working closely with faculty, staff, and students, this position offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative research projects while gaining hands-on experience with field operations, greenhouse management, and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
3 years of related experience

Nice To Haves

Experience assisting with agricultural or biological research activities, including data collection, plot maintenance, and basic data analysis.
Hands-on experience with field, greenhouse, and laboratory research systems, particularly in plant pathology, agronomy, or related disciplines.
Familiarity with plant disease identification and standardized disease rating methodologies for major crop systems (e.g., corn, soybean).
Experience supporting pesticide or fungicide efficacy trials, including application techniques, plot evaluation, and data collection.
Familiarity with basic microbiological or plant pathology laboratory techniques, such as aseptic technique, culturing, and pathogen isolation.
Strong organizational and data management skills, with demonstrated ability to maintain accurate, reproducible datasets across multiple concurrent projects.
Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary research teams, including communication with graduate students, faculty, or technical staff.

Responsibilities

Support field operations including planting, pesticide and fungicide application, harvesting, plot maintenance, and equipment setup.
Coordinate field research activities and ensure adherence to research protocols and crop health standards.
Manage daily greenhouse and growth chamber operations, including plant care, irrigation, nutrient schedules, treatments, and data collection.
Assist with drone-based research activities, including flight planning, aerial imaging, data retrieval, and equipment maintenance.
Ensure drone and field operations are conducted in accordance with safety and regulatory standards.
Collect, record, and perform quality checks on research and field data.
Assist with a variety of agricultural research activities and perform additional duties as needed to support the research program.