Research Assistant - Student Service

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Purdue University in West Lafayette is seeking two Indiana-based undergraduate Agronomy Interns for the 2027 field season. You will support on-farm field activities, collect data, scout fields, and help manage field photos and videos for social media while building farmer relationships.

The role emphasizes proactive individuals with strong communication, outdoors work readiness, and a willingness to learn field research and agronomic scouting. Non-Exempt, field-based internship.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate in agronomy or related field.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors.
• Some knowledge in agronomy, crop science, or soil science.
• Desire to learn more about field research and agronomic scouting.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Quality written and oral communication skills.
• Effective at capturing field-based photos and videos.
• Ability to edit/curate social media content is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Supporting field activities (e.g., trial establishment, data collection, scouting).
• Fostering farmer-relationship building.
• Curating and managing field-based photo and video content for social media.
• Assistance with data input and management.
• Participation at Purdue-hosted field days.

Skills

Communication

Outdoor work

Field data collection

Soil science

Crop science

Social media content

Self-motivation

Teamwork

Photos videos

Editing social media

Education

Undergraduate in Agronomy or related field

Job description

Job Title: Research Assistant - Student Service

City: West Lafayette

Job Description:

Job Summary

Purdue On The Farm (POTF) is seeking two Indiana-based undergraduate students in the role of Agronomy Intern for the 2027 field season. Purdue On The Farm runs on-farm, field-scale research with farmers throughout the state of Indiana, in conjunction with Extension Specialists and Educators, industry, and consultants. Additionally, POTF facilitates survey and scouting efforts in farmers' fields. Through these activities, POTF serves to support farmers make data-driven decisions for their agronomic management, using data collected right from their fields, on their farms.

You will be responsible for:

• Supporting field activities (e.g., trial establishment, data collection, scouting)
• Fostering farmer-relationship building
• Curating and managing field-based photo and video content for social media
• Assistance with data input and management
• Participation at Purdue-hosted field days

This opportunity is ideal for a proactive individual with strong communication skills and a passion for boots-on-the-ground agronomy and extension.

Your Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate in agronomy or related field
• Valid driver’s license
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors
• Some knowledge in agronomy, crop science, or soil science (basic knowledge is acceptable)
• Desire to learn more about field research and agronomic scouting
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Quality written and oral communication skills
• Effective at capturing field-based photos and videos
• Ability to edit/curate social media content is preferred, but not required Seeking two, full-time interns for the field season with the opportunity for part-time work (~5-10 hours per week) outside of the field season.

Education

Currently enrolled as an undergraduate in agronomy or related field. Basic knowledge in agronomy, crop science, or soil science.

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt