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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Agricultural Research Assistant

💰 $35,000 - $55,000

AgricultureResearchAgronomyLife Sciences

🎯 Role Definition

As an Agricultural Research Assistant you will provide essential technical and operational support for crop and soil research programs. You will implement experimental protocols in the field and greenhouse, collect and process biological and environmental samples, operate laboratory and field instruments, maintain accurate records, perform basic statistical and data management tasks, and contribute to reporting, extension, and publication efforts. This role requires hands-on skills in agronomy, sample handling, lab techniques, and data entry, plus strong attention to detail, adherence to safety and SOPs, and excellent communication with research staff, technicians, growers, and students.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Technician or Farm Assistant transitioning into research.
  • Laboratory Technician supporting plant/soil assays.
  • Undergraduate intern in Agronomy, Plant Science, Soil Science, or Entomology.

Advancement To:

  • Research Associate or Senior Research Technician.
  • Agronomist or Crop Consultant in industry.
  • Project Coordinator or Trial Manager for multi-site studies.
  • Graduate study (M.S. / Ph.D.) in Plant Science, Agronomy, or related fields.

Lateral Moves:

  • Extension Specialist or County Extension Agent.
  • Quality Assurance/Regulatory Compliance Specialist.
  • Seed Production or Plant Breeding Technician.

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, set up, and execute replicated field and greenhouse experiments under the direction of project leads, including plot layout, randomization, treatment application, labeling, and careful record-keeping to ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility.
  • Conduct systematic phenotypic assessments of crops (height, phenology, biomass, yield components), disease and pest scoring, and quality trait measurements using standardized protocols and scoring guides.
  • Collect, process, preserve, and catalogue soil, plant tissue, seed, insect, and water samples following chain-of-custody and sample integrity procedures; prepare samples for laboratory assays and external testing.
  • Perform laboratory analyses such as soil nutrient extraction, pH and EC testing, basic nutrient assays, ELISA/PCR sample prep (where authorized), plant tissue digestion, and spectrophotometric or chromatographic measurements under GLP/QA protocols.
  • Operate and calibrate field and lab instruments (GPS, field scales, moisture meters, porometers, infrared thermometers, HPLC/GC, microscopes) and maintain maintenance logs to ensure reliable data collection.
  • Manage plot irrigation systems, installation and maintenance of sensors (soil moisture, temperature), and remote monitoring equipment; troubleshoot hardware and collaborate with technicians or vendors for repairs.
  • Apply agronomic inputs (fertilizers, amendments) and pesticides in compliance with labels, permits, and institutional safety procedures; document applications and maintain pesticide use logs and equipment calibration records.
  • Enter, clean, validate, and maintain experimental and observational data in electronic databases or LIMS; generate clean data tables and metadata that facilitate downstream statistical analysis and reproducibility.
  • Support basic statistical analyses and visualization (ANOVA, mixed models, regressions, plots) using R, SAS, JMP, or Python as directed by the principal investigator or data analyst.
  • Prepare and maintain clear, contemporaneous field notes, laboratory notebooks, sample manifests, and SOP checklists; synthesize methods and observations to support reproducibility and audit-readiness.
  • Supervise, train, and coordinate seasonal staff, student workers, and interns for safe and consistent execution of field and lab tasks, ensuring adherence to experimental protocols and quality standards.
  • Maintain inventory of reagents, consumables, seed stocks, and field supplies; place orders, track deliveries, and ensure proper storage conditions for biological materials.
  • Assist with seed cleaning, processing, tagging, and storage for breeding trials, variety evaluations, and germplasm collections according to seed-handling SOPs.
  • Collaborate with data managers and GIS specialists to georeference plots, produce field maps, and integrate spatial layers (soil maps, weather, remote sensing) to enhance experimental design and interpretation.
  • Conduct routine scouting and monitoring for pests, diseases, and abiotic stress; escalate unexpected observations to supervisors and assist with integrated pest management (IPM) interventions as needed.
  • Contribute to the preparation of experimental materials, manuals, and SOPs, and participate in safety trainings, PPE audits, and risk assessments for field and laboratory activities.
  • Support greenhouse and growth chamber operations including propagation, watering schedules, environmental control, sterilization procedures, and pest management to ensure experiment integrity.
  • Assist in drafting methods sections, technical reports, tables, figures, and supporting content for grant applications, progress reports, extension publications, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
  • Coordinate logistics for field days, demonstration trials, and grower/extension outreach activities including plot signage, sampling schedules, and demonstration materials.
  • Implement quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) checks on data, samples, and instrument performance; document deviations and corrective actions to uphold scientific standards.
  • Participate in literature reviews and background research to inform experimental design choices, reagent methods, and emerging best practices in crop protection, soil health, and plant breeding.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc analytical requests, summarize experimental results for lab meetings, and produce graphical summaries optimized for both technical and lay audiences.
  • Maintain greenhouse and field equipment storage areas, organize tool inventories, and enforce proper labeling and storage of chemicals and biological materials.
  • Assist in coordinating subcontractors, field contractors, and grower partners for plot preparation, harvest logistics, and on-farm trials.
  • Contribute to data management planning and metadata documentation to enhance compliance with institutional and funder data-sharing mandates.
  • Help implement remote sensing and UAV/Drone data collection campaigns (flight prep, ground-truth sampling) and coordinate with certified drone pilots where required.
  • Support institutional compliance tasks including biosafety, pesticide licensing, permits for field releases, and record submittals for regulatory reporting.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Field trial design and plot management: randomized complete block design, split-plot layouts, proper labeling and blocking to reduce experimental error.
  • Sample collection and laboratory processing: soil coring, tissue sampling, seed handling, drying, grinding, and sample preservation techniques.
  • Laboratory techniques: basic molecular preparation (DNA/RNA extraction aliquoting), ELISA basics, spectrophotometry, and common wet-chemistry assays (nitrate, phosphate, organic matter).
  • Instrument operation & calibration: GPS/GNSS units, soil moisture sensors, porometers, pH/EC meters, balances, and basic chromatography/spectrometry equipment.
  • Data entry and management: Excel, relational databases, LIMS, RedCap, or other electronic lab/field data systems with rigorous QC workflows.
  • Statistical analysis and visualization: working knowledge of R, SAS, JMP, or Python (pandas, matplotlib/seaborn) for cleaning, ANOVA/mixed models, and plotting.
  • GIS and spatial data handling: ArcGIS/QGIS fundamentals, georeferencing, basic spatial layer integration, and map production.
  • Agronomic operations and equipment: safe operation of small tractors, sprayers, spreaders, and irrigation systems; maintenance and calibration of field applicators.
  • Regulatory compliance & safety: familiarity with pesticide application regulations, PPE use, MSDS handling, and institutional biosafety/GLP procedures.
  • Greenhouse and controlled-environment skills: seed germination protocols, environmental control settings, pest control, and propagation techniques.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy in sampling, data recording, and protocol adherence.
  • Effective oral and written communication to convey technical methods, results, and safety procedures to diverse audiences.
  • Teamwork and collaborative ability to work with researchers, students, growers, and external vendors.
  • Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills for field and lab equipment and experimental anomalies.
  • Time management and organization to prioritize field seasons, harvests, and lab workflows under tight schedules.
  • Adaptability and resilience to variable weather, field conditions, and evolving experimental needs.
  • Instructional and supervisory ability to train seasonal staff and ensure consistent adherence to protocols.
  • Critical thinking for interpreting QC flags, unexpected results, and planning follow-up actions.
  • Ethical conduct and integrity in data handling, sample tracking, and reporting.
  • Client- and stakeholder-oriented mindset for extension activities, farm collaboration, and industry partnerships.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, Crop Science, Horticulture, Soil Science, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree preferred; Master's degree (M.S.) in Agronomy, Plant Breeding, Soil Science, Entomology, Plant Pathology, or related field advantageous.
  • Certifications (pesticide applicator license, forklift/tractor operation, GLP training) strongly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Agronomy
  • Crop Science
  • Plant Science
  • Soil Science
  • Horticulture
  • Entomology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Environmental Science
  • Molecular Biology (applied to plant research)
  • Agricultural Engineering (irrigation and instrumentation)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years for entry-level positions; 2–5 years for roles requiring independent trial management or specialized lab skills.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of hands-on experience with field trials, greenhouse operations, or laboratory sample processing in an agricultural research or university extension setting.
  • Experience with data management and basic statistical analysis in R, SAS, or Python.
  • Demonstrated experience with pesticide application, equipment calibration, instrument maintenance, or seed processing is a plus.
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