83-22 Agricultural Research Associate I, Agronomy/Data Science

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 18 Sep 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title 83-22 Agricultural Research Associate I, Agronomy/Data Science
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work?
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201405AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate I
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range The salary range for this position is $40,000 - $45,000. Starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date 11/01/2022
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 09/18/2022
Description of Work Unit
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. We invite you to review Colorado State University’s Principles of Community that guide our mission and vision of access, teaching, service, and engagement.
Colorado State University is a land-grant institution committed to a 150-year-old mission of access to higher education for the citizens of Colorado and to excellence in teaching, research, and outreach. The campus is located in the city of Fort Collins, the county seat of Larimer County. Fort Collins is a progressive community of approximately 171,000 situated 65 miles north of Denver on Interstate 25. Located at an elevation of 5,000 feet, Fort Collins has a clear, dry climate and generally pleasant temperature throughout the year.
The Center for Agricultural Resources Research is located in Fort Collins, CO and is a U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) facility. The Center collaborates with Colorado State University to solve critical national problems by ensuring the security and future use of agricultural, genetic, and natural resources.
The Central Great Plains Research Station is a U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) facility that collaborates with Colorado State University and is operated for agricultural research with a primary emphasis upon dryland cropping systems. The Research Station is located in the Northeastern Plains of Colorado in Akron, CO. The research facility is approximately 600 acres which conducts both large- and small-scale research. The current emphasis of research is on dryland precision agriculture looking at management aspects and impacts upon cropping systems that are currently utilized in the High Plains Region.
Position Summary
The position will provide deliverable and data-driven decision-making analyses and tools to the agricultural programs in Washington County. The Agricultural Research Associate will focus on the implementation of the research protocol conducted at the USDA-ARS facility and will collaborate with research faculty to administer research protocol which will include data collection, analyses, reporting, and presentation to stakeholders. The position will work at the Fort Collins office and conduct field work in Akron.
Required Job Qualifications
  • Completed master’s degree.
  • Degree must have been conferred in Ecology, Agronomy, Geography, or a related field
  • Experience with geospatial analyses, statistical analyses, and machine learning, and fluency with scientific programming languages (R or Python)
  • Exhibits strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to communicate through teaching, public speaking/presentation, and writing as demonstrated through application materials, peer reviewed publications, and experience.
  • Demonstrated experience working with people as individuals and in groups; ability to forge equitable and successful partnerships with other professionals and organizations.
  • Demonstrated use of technology in managing and/or delivering educational programs.
  • Ability to respond to the needs of diverse audiences through adaptable written and verbal communication methods.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Machine learning libraries e.g. ‘caret’
  • GIS analyses in R/Python and ArcGIS
  • Experience in designing, managing, and executing scientific experiments in field, lab, and computational environments
  • Experience writing reports and scientific papers for peer review
  • Experience leveraging agroecological knowledge in a research environment
  • Experience working in field conditions in extreme terrain and environmental conditions
Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Analysis of Research Data
Duty/Responsibility
  • Develop an analysis protocol for data within the project
  • Analyze data within parameters set by the research project
Percentage Of Time 75%
Job Duty Category Reporting of Data
Duty/Responsibility
  • Development of reports on research data for review by research scientist
  • Development of manuscripts with the collaboration of the lead scientists
Percentage Of Time 25%

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, all materials must be RECEIVED no later than 11:59 PM Mountain Time on Sunday, September 18, 2022. Please submit the following to apply:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • Transcripts of college(s) course work showing degrees conferred. Please remove all references to birth date or social security number.
  • Special Required Documentation – Statement (no more than 5 pages) of how you meet all applicable “Required” and “Preferred” Job Qualifications. Please respond to each bullet point separately.


All applicants will be contacted approximately 15 working days after the deadline regarding their status. Next steps and interview dates will be shared to those moving forward. Four professional references will be requested of applicants that advance in the interview process.
For questions regarding the application process, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity at (970) 491-5836 or email [email protected] . For questions regarding the job vacancy, responsibilities, and salary, please contact Joel Schneekloth at [email protected].
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Special Requirements/Other - Ability and willingness to work in field conditions in inclement weather including extreme heat, cold, and wind.
Search Contact Joel Schneekloth at 970-345-0508 or [email protected].
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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