Precision Agriculture Research Associate Havre, MT

Montana State University

Bozeman (MT)

On-site

USD 65,000 - 90,000

Full time

12 hours ago

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Job summary

Montana State University’s Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre invites a Precision Agriculture Research Associate to oversee daily lab operations, field trials, and data analytics workflows.

The role focuses on designing trials, collecting data, performing analyses, and drafting reports to support site-specific weed, pest management and spatial variability studies across dryland cropping systems in Montana.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Precision Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Spatial Sciences, or a closely related field.
Familiarity with remote sensing technologies and satellite imagery analysis.
Proficiency in statistical analysis using software such as R or Python.
Effective communication skills with researchers, educators, research center personnel, and producers.

Responsibilities

Lab & Field Management: Manage daily lab operations, field equipment, sensor inventory, and field schedules. Coordinate, train, and supervise research technicians and student workers in accordance with university protocols and safety standards.
Experimental Design & Trial Execution: Lead the planning, spatial layout, and field implementation of small-plot and on-farm precision agriculture research trials.
Data Management & Analytics: Manage spatial and tabular field datasets. Perform rigorous statistical analysis (linear/mixed models, spatial statistics) using R or Python to evaluate agronomic and technological performance.
Targeted Spray & Precision Equipment Operations: Support field operations involving smart/targeted spray systems, precision applicators, digital soil mapping, and field robotics.
Develop and implement research studies that support precision agriculture practices to enhance farming and livestock efficiency and profitability in Montana.
Interact effectively with farmers and ranchers on on-farm experiments to test and refine precision agriculture techniques.
Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through extension activities, including workshops, field days, and publications.

Skills

Lab management

Data analysis

Python

Remote sensing

Education

Master's degree in Precision Agriculture

Tools

Python

Pix4D

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27156

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Brief Position Overview

The Precision Agriculture Lab at Montana State University’s Northern Agricultural Research Center ( MSU - NARC ) in Havre, MT, seeks a highly motivated and organized Precision Agriculture Research Associate to oversee daily laboratory operations, field research trials, and data analytics workflows.

Serving as the primary field researcher, the successful candidate will manage field trial data collection, design agronomic trials, perform statistical analyses, and draft technical reports and extension deliverables. This role supports research and extension programs focused on optimizing crop inputs, site-specific weed and pest management, satellite and aerial remote sensing, and spatial variability across dryland cropping systems in Montana.

Position Number

Position Number 4C5015

Department

Department AES NARC

Division

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

The Northern Agricultural Research Center consists of 3,000 acres at the main facility with an additional 3,960 acres of grazing land located in the nearby Bear Paw Mountains. The 3,000 acres on the main facility supports both crop and livestock research activities which is distinctly unique to MSU . The research center has recently completed $2.8 million of construction and renovation, including a new $2.1 million office/laboratory complex. In the spring of 2014, two center pivots suitable for research were installed. A modern research scale greenhouse was funded and designed with construction to be completed in the near future. The research center, when fully staffed, consists of four faculty, two operations managers, research scientist, master’s level technician, and 12 permanent support personnel. A local advisory board made up of area producers and industry representatives from the five surrounding counties, provides guidance on NARC research priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lab & Field Management: Manage daily lab operations, field equipment, sensor inventory, and field schedules. Coordinate, train, and supervise research technicians and student workers in accordance with university protocols and safety standards.
Experimental Design & Trial Execution: Lead the planning, spatial layout, and field implementation of small-plot and on-farm precision agriculture research trials.
Data Management & Analytics: Manage spatial and tabular field datasets. Perform rigorous statistical analysis (linear/mixed models, spatial statistics) using R or Python to evaluate agronomic and technological performance.
Targeted Spray & Precision Equipment Operations: Support field operations involving smart/targeted spray systems, precision applicators, digital soil mapping, and field robotics.
Develop and implement research studies that support precision agriculture practices to enhance farming and livestock efficiency and profitability in Montana.
Interact effectively with farmers and ranchers on on-farm experiments to test and refine precision agriculture techniques.
Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through extension activities, including workshops, field days, and publications.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Master’s degree in Precision Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Data Science, Spatial Sciences, or a closely related field.
Familiarity with remote sensing technologies and satellite imagery analysis.
Proficiency in statistical analysis using software such as R or Python.
Effective communication skills (both written and oral) with researchers, educators, research center personnel, and producers.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Targeted Spray Operations: Hands-on experience with targeted/smart spot-spraying technology, variable-rate applicators, or precision spray platforms.
Proven experience in operating UAV (drones) and processing images using Pix4D software or similar.
Understanding of experimental design and statistics
Experience operating agricultural sensors, RTK - GNSS positioning systems, or ground-based geophysical sensors.

The Successful Candidate Will

Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, and problem-solving abilities in both office and demanding field environments.
Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders across agricultural disciplines, including producers, research faculty, extension specialists, and industry partners.
Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, faculty, and staff in a team-oriented environment.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Screening of applications will begin on

Screening of applications will begin on November 17th, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Required Documents