Research Associate

Posting Information Posting Number Posting Number PG194802EP Internal Recruitment Internal Recruitment No Working Title Working Title DRIVES Research Associate Anticipated Hiring Range Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with experience ($65,000 - $70,000) Work Schedule Job Location Department Department Crop and Soil Sciences About the Department The Agroecology Lab at NC State works to create more sustainable, resilient, and varied farming systems by: Understanding how varied cropping systems support healthy soil, clean water, and other natural benefits, and reduce the risk of adverse weather Finding practical ways to increase the variety of crops grown on farms Exploring how these practices fit into real-world farming and food systems Through hands-on research, teaching, and collaboration with students, farmers, and the community, we aim to build a more sustainable and just food future for North Carolina and beyond. 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. 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. The DRIVES Agroecology Research Associate will work under the supervision of the Agroecology Professor to support the growth of the Agroecology Lab’s research program about the impacts of crop diversification. Key responsibilities will include organizing and maintaining the Diverse Rotation Improve Valuable Ecosystem Services ( DRIVES ) database (drives-network.org) and conducting synthesis research on crop diversification across a range of environmental conditions. The DRIVES database is a network of data from long-term cropping systems experiments. The Associate will be responsible for database expansion and enhancing interoperability using data dictionaries and controlled vocabularies when including additional variables. They will lead database content development and write code to assess the linkages between rotational diversity and economic performance and soil health. They will prepare publications for peer-reviewed journals and develop partnerships across the long-term cropping systems research community. Duties include: Research Data Management & Database Development Organize, maintain, and expand the Diverse Rotation Improve Valuable Ecosystem Services ( DRIVES ) database. Enhance database interoperability by developing and implementing data dictionaries and controlled vocabularies. Integrate and validate data from long-term cropping systems experiments across multiple research sites. Ensure data quality, consistency, and accessibility to support collaborative agroecology research. Research Analysis & Scholarly Publications Conduct synthesis research evaluating the impacts of crop diversification across diverse environmental conditions. Develop and maintain analytical code to examine relationships between rotational diversity, economic performance, and soil health. Interpret research findings and prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals. Present research findings and contribute to reports, publications, and other scholarly products. Collaboration & Research Network Development Develop and maintain partnerships with collaborators across the long-term cropping systems research community. Coordinate with researchers to facilitate data sharing and database expansion. Participate in project meetings and communicate project progress with internal and external stakeholders. Contribute to advancing the Agroecology Lab’s research program through collaborative initiatives. Position is contingent on availability of funds, potentially 6 months to 1.5 years Other Responsibilities Mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, disseminating research in publications and outreach training activities. Communicate with the IT services and maintain the website and the virtual machine. Qualifications Minimum Education and Experience Relevant Bachelor’s and 3 or more years of relevant experience, relevant independent experience and education. Other Required Qualifications The Research Associate must be a clear communicator, have strong organizational skills, be able to work with diverse individuals, and work independently as needed. Preferred Qualifications PhD in agronomy, soil science, or ecology, Mastery in R, expertise in addressing spatiotemporal elements of research questions related to crop diversification, Experience working with long-term cropping systems data, Experience handling legacy datasets for organization and analysis, experience with large publicly available datasets, Expertise in Bayesian statistics, experience working with supercomputers. Required License(s) or Certification(s) N/A Valid NC Driver's License required Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License required Commercial Driver's License required No Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions Job Open Date Job Open Date 08/06/2026 Anticipated Close Date Position Number Position Number 00112240 Position Type Position Type EPS/SAAO Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00 Appointment Appointment 12 Month Recurring Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event Department ID Department ID 110901 - Crop and Soil Sciences 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io . 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr