Extension/Research Associate

Mississippi State University; Starkville, Northern (MS, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University in Starkville seeks a full-time Extension Research Associate to provide technical and managerial support for the Peanut Extension program, aiding daily operations and long-term planning, and to disseminate knowledge to peanut stakeholders in Mississippi.

The role aims to develop new scientific knowledge for the peanut community, supervise student employees and graduate students, and contribute to field research across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• Experience operating farm machinery.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
• Detail-oriented with ability to deliver high-quality work.

Responsibilities

• Manage field research/demonstration plots at multiple locations across the state.
• Supervision of student employees and assisting graduate students with field research projects.
• Monitoring/purchasing of agronomic and research supplies.
• Seasonal farm equipment and vehicle maintenance.
• Assisting with field days, grower meetings, and other activities, including public speaking.
• Present research at scientific conferences.
• Data analysis to prepare scientific and commodity board reports.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Organization

Detail orientation

Professional growth

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Position Function:

This is a full-time Extension Research Associate position that will provide technical and managerial assistance in daily operations and long-term planning of the Peanut Extension program. The overall objectives of this position are to assist the program in providing knowledge to the peanut stakeholders of Mississippi, develop new scientific knowledge to the peanut scientific community, and assisting student employees/graduate students.

Salary Grade:13

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile:

Mississippi State is Mississippi's senior comprehensive land-grant institution and has the largest on-campus enrollment (>22,000) of the eight state institutions of higher learning. All components of the university have a strong commitment to teaching, research, and service. The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences has 33 on- and 14 off-campus faculty members engaged in teaching, research, and extension and/or service programs, most of whom carry joint appointments. The programs are supported by state-of-the-art, newly renovated laboratories, equipment, and trained support and professional staff. The department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Plant and Soil Sciences with Master's and Doctoral graduate students concentrating in Agronomy and, Horticulture.

Area of Specialization:

Peanut

Anticipated Appointment Date:

November 1, 2026.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage field research/demonstration plots at multiple locations across the state. This includes the operation and hauling of farm equipment, data collection, and crop management.
• Supervision of student employees and assisting graduate students with field research projects.
• Monitoring/purchasing of agronomic and research supplies. Seasonal farm equipment and vehicle maintenance.
• Assisting with field days, grower meetings, and other activities, which may include public speaking.
• Present research at scientific conferences.
• Data analysis to prepare scientific and commodity board reports.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in related field.

Rank and salary will be commensurate with education/experience of the candidate.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience operating farm machinery.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Applicant must have excellent written and oral communication skills. Excellent organizational and leadership skills are also imperative. The applicant must possess strong leadership, organization, and communication skills. The applicant must be capable of completing detail oriented task and deliver high quality work. Motivation to learn and continue professional development is necessary

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Exposure to educational and agricultural conditions. Lifting, sitting, standing, squatting, etc. will be required. Exposure to chemicals, dust, heat, and cold. Additional exposures may be encountered in a lab setting.

Screening Date:

October 15, 2026, until filled.

Restricted Clause:

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: [phone] or [e-mail].

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at [phone] or [e-mail]. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.