Research Intern - Iowa Soybean Association

Iowa Soybean Association; Ankeny (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is seeking a research assistant to support the ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation. The role involves collecting water quality, soil, and plant samples, scouting crops, analyzing imagery, and organizing data to improve crop productivity and sustainability in Iowa.

The position requires basic data handling skills, familiarity with farming practices, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

• Ability to work efficiently on individual and team projects.
• Familiar with farming practices and agricultural conservation.
• Undergraduate degree (AA/S or BA/S), in progress or completed, with focus in agriculture or environmental science.

Responsibilities

• Assist staff on water sample collection throughout the state at stream and tile outlet locations.
• Interact with farmers in a professional manner to execute experiments and data collection.
• Collect soil and plant samples from farm fields.
• Enter and work with data using standard tools (Excel, Word, etc.).
• Participate in research discussions and planning meetings.
• Assist in other ISA Research program areas as needed.

Skills

Data entry

Excel

Field sampling

Education

BA/BS in agriculture or environmental science

Tools

GPS equipment

Office 365

Job description

OBJECTIVE: To assist the ISA Research Center for Farming Innovation with cropping system research. The employee will be expected to collect water quality, soil, and plant samples; conduct crop scouting and imagery analysis; process and organize data; and assist with data analysis. The research will be used to help ISA improve the productivity and sustainability of crop production in Iowa.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist staff on water sample collection throughout the state at stream and tile outlet locations
• Interact with farmers in a professional manner to execute experiments and data collection
• Collect soil and plant samples from farm fields
• Ability to take direction and work independently
• Ability to enter and work with data collected using commonly used tools (Excel, Word, etc.)
• Participate in research discussions and planning meetings
• Assist in other ISA Research program areas as needed

COMPETENCIES

TRAVEL

This position requires frequent travel. Travel will be within Iowa using company vehicles and will normally be completed within normal business hours.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Ability to work efficiently on individual and team projects
• High level familiarity with farming practices and agricultural conservation
• Undergraduate degree (AA/S or BA/S), in progress or completed, with a focus in agriculture or environmental science

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in agronomy or environmental science and field data collection and analysis preferred or comparable experience within agriculture

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional office and outdoor environments. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and software platforms such as Office 365. Field work is required and sampling equipment such as on-farm research and/or replicated strip trial layout and execution, water, soil and tissue sampling equipment, and GPS equipment are also used. This role routinely involves working around heavy equipment and farming implements. Proper use of safety equipment and safety procedures is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; drive long distances; walk in fields and uneven terrain; collect water samples from streams, tile outlets, and other water sources; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment will vary.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact Human Resources
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.