Research Associate

The Arthur Companies Inc • Fargo, ND

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join our team. This is an operational role involving conducting field, laboratory, and greenhouse/growth facility research to work with our wheat breeding program and contract research organization. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in planning and preparing field trials, execution of planting, plot maintenance, data collection/note taking, harvest and post-harvest activities. Communication is very important as this is a small team that regularly interacts with other business units. Analytical/statistical skills, greenhouse, and database management (PRISM) preferred. This, coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit to join a growing program and a passion for agronomy, genetics, plant breeding and product testing is who we're looking for to join our team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Science, or a related field
• 1-3+ years of experience in agricultural research or field trial preferred
• Currently have or ability to obtain a CDL with a med card
• Currently have or have ability to obtain pesticide applicators license
• Ability to operate a fork lift
• Proficiency in experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis
• Experience with research field equipment operation and technologies, such as GPS, mapping and planting/harvesting software
• Assist in setting up and conducting field trials and experiments, including equipment operation, planting, fertilizing, data collection, pest control, tissue sampling and other agronomic practices
• Operate and maintain agricultural research equipment, such as planters, sprayers, and harvesters
• Collect, organize, and process soil, plant, and environmental samples for laboratory analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to lead small groups of people in the performance of tasks
• Pay attention to detail and manage work to high quality standards
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently, work as a team member, and proceed with objectives without supervision
• Frequent outdoor fieldwork in varying weather conditions.
• Travel to research sites with frequent trailer towing.
• Off-season travel to conferences, and stakeholder meetings required.
• Combination of office, laboratory, growth facility and field environments.
• Regularly standing, climbing stairs, grasping, pushing, reaching with hands/arms, and repetitive wrist, hand, and/or finger movement
• Mechanical equipment
• Frequently hearing and talking
• Frequently walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, balancing, and moving up and down from/to sitting position on the floor.
• Frequently feeling attributes of objects.
• Must be able to visually see at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more and precise hand-eye coordination
• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds or more
• Requires concentrated attention

Nice To Haves

• Analytical/statistical skills, greenhouse, and database management (PRISM) preferred.
• Passion for agronomy, genetics, plant breeding and product testing.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, package and plant field trials to evaluate crop/product performance.
• Assist in maintaining research locations through herbicide application and agronomic practices.
• Collect data on plant growth, disease reactions, yield (research combine), hand harvest and quality sample preparation.
• Working with and managing temporary contract workers to assist in busy, time sensitive duties.
• Assist in growing plants in a greenhouse/growth facility for crossing and increases.
• Use statistical software and analytical tools to assist in analyzing experiment results.
• Assist in providing recommendations for product advancement and practical applications of research outcomes to stakeholders, including farmers and industry partners.
• Integrate new technologies, such as precision agriculture tools or predictive breeding, remote sensing, and data analytics, into research programs.
• Stay informed about advancements in agronomy, crop science and plant breeding to enhance research efforts.
• Implement and manage seed inventory system.
• Ensure all research activities comply with regulatory and safety standards.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, methodologies, and outcomes for transparency and reproducibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level