Research Technician

North Carolina State University; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Disability protection

Life insurance

Paid time off

12 holidays a year

Tuition assistance

Wellness programs

Job summary

NC State University in Clayton, NC seeks an Agricultural Research Technician to support field crops, vegetables, tobacco, and related research across multiple units. You will establish, maintain, treat, and harvest plots according to established protocols.

Responsibilities include applying pesticides and irrigation, operating a range of farm equipment, performing hand planting and data collection, and assisting with laboratory and swine facilities.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting agricultural, horticultural, livestock, or field-based research activities.
• Demonstrated ability to safely operate and maintain farm or research equipment, including tractors, loaders, or similar machinery.
• Experience maintaining data logs, research records, or field activity documentation with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying environmental conditions while performing physically active tasks, including lifting up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to follow written research protocols, safety procedures, and pesticide label instructions while working independently and as part of a research team

Responsibilities

• Establish, maintain, treat, and harvest research plots involving field crops, vegetables, fruit, and tobacco according to established research protocols.
• Apply pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, and other treatments to research subjects in accordance with protocols and safety requirements.
• Operate a variety of agricultural equipment for field preparation, treatment application, planting, cultivation, and harvesting.
• Perform hand planting and harvesting and assist with plot layout, treatment implementation, and research data collection and recording.
• Install, operate, and maintain irrigation systems, including solid-set pipe and drip irrigation.
• Assist with the maintenance of agricultural equipment, grounds, buildings, field plots, and other research facilities and infrastructure.
• Maintain work areas and research plots to support accurate and reliable research results.
• Additional work hours may be required, especially during planting, irrigation and harvest seasons.

Job description

Research Technician

Job Posting Information

• Posting Number: PG195240SP
• Internal Recruitment: No
• Working Title: Research Technician
• Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience (Up to $43,116)
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., with additional hours as needed for special events.
• Job Location: Clayton, NC
• Department: Central Crops Research Station

About the Department

Central Crops Research Station is one of eighteen agricultural research centers in the State of North Carolina. North Carolina State University owns the Central Crops Research Station with operational management through the Division of Research Stations. North Carolina State University and the Division of Research Stations establish the general operating procedures. The primary purpose of the Research Station is to provide land, personnel, expertise, facilities and equipment to research scientists conducting agricultural research projects which address specific questions of crop production in North Carolina.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

As the Agricultural Research Technician, you will support research activities across all three research units by assisting with the establishment, maintenance, treatment, and disposition of field crops, vegetables, fruit, tobacco, and animal research specimens. You will perform hand tasks on the ground and operate agricultural equipment, assist with research plot activities, and support operations in the seed laboratory and swine facility. Your work will contribute to the quality and reliability of agricultural research conducted at the Clayton, NC location.

In this role, you will gain hands‑on experience working across a variety of crops, research facilities, and field operations while collaborating with research personnel to carry out established research protocols.

Key Responsibilities

Agricultural Research & Field Operations

• Establish, maintain, treat, and harvest research plots involving field crops, vegetables, fruit, and tobacco according to established research protocols.
• Apply pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, and other treatments to research subjects in accordance with protocols and safety requirements.
• Operate a variety of agricultural equipment for field preparation, treatment application, planting, cultivation, and harvesting.
• Perform hand planting and harvesting and assist with plot layout, treatment implementation, and research data collection and recording.

Research Facility & Equipment Support

• Install, operate, and maintain irrigation systems, including solid-set pipe and drip irrigation.
• Assist with the maintenance of agricultural equipment, grounds, buildings, field plots, and other research facilities and infrastructure.
• Maintain work areas and research plots to support accurate and reliable research results.

If you are interested in applying your agricultural skills in a hands‑on research environment and contributing to research across multiple disciplines, we welcome you to apply for the Agricultural Research Technician position in Clayton, NC.

Other Responsibilities

Additional work hours may be required, especially during planting, irrigation and harvest seasons. Research projects or weather may alter work schedule. Other duties and task as needed.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting agricultural, horticultural, livestock, or field-based research activities.
• Demonstrated ability to safely operate and maintain farm or research equipment, including tractors, loaders, or similar machinery.
• Experience maintaining data logs, research records, or field activity documentation with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying environmental conditions while performing physically active tasks, including lifting up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to follow written research protocols, safety procedures, and pesticide label instructions while working independently and as part of a research team

Required License or Certification

• Valid NC Driver's License or ability to obtain within 60 days of start.
• Public Pesticide Applicator License or ability to obtain within six months of hiring.
• Forklift certification will be required once training has been provided by the dept.
• Prior to permanent appointment, must obtain: medical respirator certification showing no significant medical impairment when wearing a negative‑pressure respirator.

Valid NC Driver's License required

Yes

Commercial Driver's License Required?

No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date: 10/02/2026

Earliest Close Date: 10/15/2026

Position Details

• Position Number: 00042424
• Position Type: SHRA
• Position Classification Band Title: Research Technician
• Position Classification Band Level: Journey
• Position Classification Salary Range: $ 34,320 - $ 72,734
• Salary Grade Equivalency: MH06
• Alternate Option: If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
• Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00
• Appointment: 12 Month Recurring
• Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Mandatory - Adverse Weather
• Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Medical Emergencies, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Transportation Accidents, Mandatory - Evacuations/Natural Hazards, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure, Mandatory - Threats of Violence/Terrorism/Interpersonal Emergencies
• Time Limited Position: No
• Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable): (empty)
• Department Id: 115003 - Central Crops Research Station

EEO: NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515‑2135 or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.