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Position Title:Digital Ag Senior Research Scientist

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:MS or PhD degree in agronomy, plant physiology, or related field.

Experience in defining, coordinating, executing, and reporting on agronomic research trials.

Experience in all aspects of a crop production system and related agronomic factors.

Experience in data analysis and statistical tools common in agronomic research trials.

Experience in communicating outcomes with research stakeholders.

Experience in writing successful grant applications.

Experience in employee development and mentorship.

Job Description:

The Digital Agriculture Innovations Team, within the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, is accepting applications for a Senior Research Scientist who will provide technical and program leadership to digital agriculture, precision agriculture, and agronomy research projects. The ISU Digital Agriculture Innovation Team (www.isudigitalag.org) consists of professional staff and graduate students who work closely with agricultural industry partners to develop innovative technology solutions for agriculture. The team has a strong innovation record with over 90 patents and licensed technologies.

Digital Ag’s vision to enhance knowledge and innovation in agriculture is reinforced by our mission to innovate, educate, and outreach by bridging the gap between ideas and practical application, cultivating a culture of continuous learning, and elevating individuals and organizations to adopt advanced ag tech solutions for a more sustainable and efficient future. Strengthened by a team of service driven and abundant thinkers, passionate about agriculture and striving for excellence, we are committed to combining technological advancement with practical solutions, emphasizing Digital Ag’s role in driving positive change in the agricultural industry.

Example of Duties

+ Design and manage complex agronomic and digital agriculture research projects, including experimental design, coordination, execution, data collection, and reporting.

+ Lead and mentor research staff, graduate students, and undergraduate assistants, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.

+ Analyze and interpret research data using statistical tools and methodologies common in agronomic and precision agriculture studies to ensure data accuracy and validity.

+ Engage and communicate with research sponsors, industry partners, and stakeholders to present project updates, findings, and recommendations that support technology adoption in agriculture.

+ Lead the design and implementation of geospatial analyses integrating satellite, UAV, and field-based data a access crop performance, soil variability, and land management practices as well as develop spatial models to support precision agriculture and agronomic research initiatives.

+ Collaborate with interdisciplinary research and technical teams to align objectives, integrate digital technologies, and ensure successful delivery of project milestones.

+ Contribute to grant proposal development, supporting the long-term sustainability and visibility of the Digital Ag Innovation Lab’s programs.

Digital Ag operates in a highly collaborative team environment. The successful candidate will manage project scope, schedule and demonstrate strong project and team leadership, quality control skills, and supervise full-time staff and undergraduate students to support project activities. Additionally, this position will demonstrate the ability to work independently; complete projects within a specified timeline; communicate effectively; provide technical leadership; and ensure a safe working environment. Excellent communication, strong organizational skills, and a detail-oriented personality are required. The candidate will also be a motivated self-starter and possess the ability to conduct, document, and communicate research methods and results.

This position provides strong variety of work in a welcoming environment. Candidates that are detail oriented, organized, and value being on a strong team are encouraged to apply.

Candidate will be hired as a Research Scientist IV.

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.

This is a term position with opportunity for renewal based on funding.

Level Guidelines• Expert-level position possessing advanced professional and/or technical skills working under limited or no supervision• Applies high-level professional knowledge and expertise to focus on ISU’s mission and meeting division, department or work unit goals• Solves complex issues using highly-developed problem resolution skills• Regularly provides recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices• Utilizes high-level professional knowledge and expertise to provide guidance, recommendations, and set standards related to strategy, policy, and mission• Leads projects of moderate to high scope and complexity with broad impact• May provide supervision to other department staff (i.e., leads a small work team)

Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:January 1, 2029

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS812

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• 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

Original Posting Date: November 6, 2025

Posting Close Date:November 20, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18088

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

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. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.