Research Associate

Mississippi State University; Starkville, Northern (MS, KY); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University in Starkville seeks a research assistant to support plant and animal production systems research and the application of precision technologies in production agriculture. The appointee will assist with grant-related tasks and field, housing, and laboratory activities.

Candidates should have a Bachelor's in an agricultural-related field; MS preferred. Responsibilities include data collection, equipment operation, and supervising students, with salary determined by the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an agricultural-related discipline.
• MS in agricultural-related discipline preferred.
• Experience with field, housing, and laboratory research is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Establish, implement, and maintain field, housing, and laboratory research.
• Collect, record, and summarize research data and maintain records.
• Operate, maintain and modify research equipment.
• Disseminate information about research findings.
• Supervise and train undergraduate and graduate student labor.
• Perform other tasks as needed under the PI.

Skills

Office software

Critical thinking

Teamwork

US driver's license

UAS Part 107

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agricultural related discipline

MS in agricultural related discipline

Tools

Precision machining equipment

Fabrication equipment

Prototyping equipment

Job description

Position Function

The appointee will assist with research activities related to plant and animal production systems and the application of precision technologies in production agriculture.

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

The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering has 20 on-campus faculty and several adjunct/affiliate faculty off-campus within research centers and government agencies, engaged in teaching, research, and extension. The department is co-administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Bagley College of Engineering and offers undergraduate (B.S.) and graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) degrees in three distinct program areas: Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Agricultural Engineering Technology and Business. Within these programs, the department has over 450 undergraduates and over 50 graduate students. The J. Charles Lee Agricultural and Biological Engineering Building, includes more than 6,000 square feet of state-of-the-art instructional and research facilities and includes separate labs for sterile tissue culture, biomechanical testing, environmental and agricultural simulation or modeling studies, electronic/robotic design fabrication and testing, fiber processing, GPS/GIS, renewable bio-energy, and student computing resources. More information about the department can be found at http://www.abe.msstate.edu/.

Anticipated Appointment Date

September 2026.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The candidate will be responsible for assisting with a variety of grant-related research tasks. This will include activities such as:

• Establishment, implementation, and maintenance of field, housing, and laboratory research
• Collect, record, and summarize research data and maintain records
• Equipment operation, maintenance, and modification
• Information dissemination
• Supervision and training of undergraduate and graduate student labor
• Perform other tasks as necessary under the direction of the principal investigator

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree. Focus: Agricultural related discipline

Rank and salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• An M.S. in agricultural related discipline
• Experience operating precision machining and manufacturing equipment
• Experience in design, fabrication, and repair of prototypical research equipment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Ability to operate, maintain and modify farm equipment (tractors, combines, sprayers, planters, etc.
• Ability to think critically, ask questions, and work well with others
• A valid US driver's license
• UAS PARt 107 Certification or the ability to attain in the first 90 days of employment

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Ocasional and/or light lifting required. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc.
• Job occasionally requires sitting, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Screening Date

September 2, 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 [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.