Research Associate *Havre, MT*

Montana State University - Bozeman, MT

Full-time - Entry Level

Bozeman, MT

Educational Services

About the position

The NARC Precision Agriculture Lab at Montana State University's Northern Agricultural Research Center is seeking a Precision Agriculture Research Associate. This role focuses on establishing and developing research and extension programs that utilize precision agriculture technologies to enhance the efficiency and profitability of farming and ranching operations in Montana. The successful candidate will manage research and data collection efforts, integrating precision agriculture technologies to optimize management practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement research studies that support precision agriculture practices to enhance farming and livestock efficiency and profitability in Montana.
• Interact effectively with farmers and ranchers on on-farm experiments to test and refine precision agriculture techniques.
• Coordinate and supervise research and educational activities as described in written and oral protocols.
• Operate UAV (drones) for data collection and process imagery using Pix4D software or other relevant tools.
• Conduct remote sensing and satellite imagery analysis to inform precision agriculture strategies.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research findings through extension activities, including workshops, field days, and publications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in agronomy or a related field.
• Familiarity with remote sensing technologies and satellite imagery analysis.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis using software such as R or Python.
• Effective communication skills (both written and oral) with researchers, educators, research center personnel, and producers.

Nice-to-haves

• A Master's degree in precision agriculture, agronomy, data science, or a related field.
• Proven experience in operating UAV (drones) and processing images using Pix4D software or similar.
• Experience with Google Earth Engine.
• Familiarity with R Shiny for developing interactive data visualizations and tools.
• Understanding of experimental design and statistics.

Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
• Eligible for benefits.