Precision Agriculture Research Lead — Field & Data

Montana State University; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

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

R

Python

Pix4D

Job description

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.