Turfgrass Research Scientist

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

Retirement benefits

Wellbeing program

Employee discounts

Job summary

Iowa State University’s Department of Horticulture seeks a Turfgrass Research Scientist to advance a nationally recognized turfgrass program focused on athletic field safety, golf course management, sports turf performance, and sustainable practices.

The role blends outdoor field research with laboratory work, data collection, and collaboration with faculty, students, and industry partners to improve turf systems across athletic fields, parks, and golf courses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Plant Science (or related field).
• Experience establishing, maintaining, and managing turfgrass research plots or production systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute applied turfgrass field research, including site prep, protocols, scheduling, and supervising student workers.
• Establish and maintain turfgrass research plots with mowing, irrigation, fertilizer, pesticides, and cultivation.
• Collect and manage research data: plant/ soil samples, turf quality, weed assessments, moisture, surface testing.
• Assist in developing methods, maintain databases, perform quality control, and conduct statistical analyses.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and external partners on projects, publications, grants, field demos.
• Present findings at field days, conferences, and industry meetings; prepare displays and facility tours.

Skills

Turfgrass management

Field research

Data analysis

Scientific collaboration

Statistical methods

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Plant Science

Tools

Turfgrass equipment

Job description

The Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University is seeking a Turfgrass Research Scientist to help advance nationally recognized turfgrass program focused on athletic field safety, golf course management, sports turf performance, turfgrass adaptation, and sustainable management practices.

This position offers a unique blend of outdoor field research, laboratory work, equipment operation, data analysis, and scientific collaboration. Working alongside faculty, students, and industry partners, you’ll conduct research that improves the safety, performance, and management of athletic fields, golf courses, parks, and other managed turf systems.

Whether your goal is to become a leader in the turfgrass industry or pursue graduate education, this position provides an exceptional opportunity to develop technical expertise, gain hands‑on research experience, and explore innovative ideas in a collaborative environment where learning through experimentation is encouraged.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute applied turfgrass field research by preparing research sites, implementing experimental protocols, scheduling field activities, and overseeing student employees.
• Establish, maintain, and evaluate turfgrass research plots through mowing, irrigation management, fertilizer and pesticide applications, and cultivation practices.
• Collect, document, and manage research data, including plant and soil samples, turfgrass quality and color ratings, weed assessments, soil moisture measurements, and surface hardness and stability testing.
• Assist in developing and refining research methods and protocols, maintain research databases, perform data quality control, and conduct statistical analyses.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and external partners to support research projects, scientific publications, grant proposals, field demonstrations, and extension and outreach activities.
• Present research findings at field days, scientific conferences, and industry meetings, prepare educational displays and demonstration plots, and provide tours of research facilities for visitors and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Turfgrass Management, Agronomy, Plant Science, or a related field.
• Experience establishing, maintaining, and managing turfgrass research plots or production systems, including irrigation management.
• Experience operating, calibrating, troubleshooting, and maintaining turfgrass or agricultural equipment.
• Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing research data.
• Experience applying fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides, or other crop protection products in accordance with research protocols and applicable regulations.
• Experience presenting research findings, contributing to scientific publications, or supporting extension and outreach activities.

Why Join Iowa State University?

This position has served as a launching point for many early career turfgrass professionals. Former Research Scientists have gone on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees or build successful careers in the turfgrass industry. You’ll have opportunities to lead applied research projects, present your work, contribute to publications, and develop the technical expertise needed for the next stage of your career.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

The selected candidate will be hired as a Research Scientist I.

Appointment Type:

Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Job Requisition Number:

R19637

Why Choose Iowa State University?

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. [phone], email [e-mail].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.