Research Associate
(exempt status, last revised 08/2026)
Job Description
Are you looking for an opportunity to leverage your talents in a growing organization? We have excellent opportunities within The Arthur Companies for people that have a desire to grow in their careers, possess strong customer service skills, have attention to detail, uphold safety requirements and enjoy working in a team oriented environment.
PURPOSE OF POSITION:
We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join our team. This is an operational role involving conducting field, laboratory, and greenhouse/growth facility research to work with our wheat breeding program and contract research organization. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in the following: planning and preparing field trials, execution of planting, plot maintenance, data collection/note taking, harvest and post-harvest activities. Communication is very important as this is a small team that regularly interacts with other business units. Analytical/statistical skills, greenhouse, and database management (PRISM) preferred. This, coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit to join a growing program and a passion for agronomy, genetics, plant breeding and product testing is who we're looking for to join our team.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Research Design and Execution:
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Plan, design, package and plant field trials to evaluate crop/product performance.
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Assist in maintaining research locations through herbicide application and agronomic practices.
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Collect data on plant growth, disease reactions, yield (research combine), hand harvest and quality sample preparation.
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Working with and managing temporary contract workers to assist in busy, time sensitive duties.
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Assist in growing plants in a greenhouse/growth facility for crossing and increases.
Data Analysis and Reporting:
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Use statistical software and analytical tools to assist in analyzing experiment results.
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Assist in providing recommendations for product advancement and practical applications of research outcomes to stakeholders, including farmers and industry partners.
Technology and Innovation:
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Integrate new technologies, such as precision agriculture tools or predictive breeding, remote sensing, and data analytics, into research programs.
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Stay informed about advancements in agronomy, crop science and plant breeding to enhance research efforts.
Compliance and Record-Keeping:
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Implement and manage seed inventory system.
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Ensure all research activities comply with regulatory and safety standards.
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Maintain accurate records of experiments, methodologies, and outcomes for transparency and reproducibility.
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
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Bachelor's or master's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Science, or a related field
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1-3+ years of experience in agricultural research or field trial preferred
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Currently have or ability to obtain a CDL with a med card
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Currently have or have ability to obtain pesticide applicators license
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Ability to operate a fork lift
Technical Skills:
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Proficiency in experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis
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Experience with research field equipment operation and technologies, such as GPS, mapping and planting/harvesting software
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Assist in setting up and conducting field trials and experiments, including equipment operation, planting, fertilizing, data collection, pest control, tissue sampling and other agronomic practices
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Operate and maintain agricultural research equipment, such as planters, sprayers, and harvesters
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Collect, organize, and process soil, plant, and environmental samples for laboratory analysis
Soft Skills:
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Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams
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Ability to lead small groups of people in the performance of tasks
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Pay attention to detail and manage work to high quality standards
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Ability to establish priorities, work independently, work as a team member, and proceed with objectives without supervision
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
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Frequent outdoor fieldwork in varying weather conditions.
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Travel to research sites with frequent trailer towing.
- Off-season travel to conferences, and stakeholder meetings required.
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Combination of office, laboratory, growth facility and field environments.
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Regularly standing, climbing stairs, grasping, pushing, reaching with hands/arms, and repetitive wrist, hand, and/or finger movement
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Mechanical equipment
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Frequently hearing and talking
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Frequently walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, balancing, and moving up and down from/to sitting position on the floor.
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Frequently feeling attributes of objects.
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Must be able to visually see at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more and precise hand-eye coordination
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Ability to lift up to 75 pounds or more
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Requires concentrated attention
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Other requirements as duties are assigned
ABOUT THE COMPANY:
The Arthur Companies is a diversified agricultural business that includes grain, agronomy services, birdseed and a fertilizer company. There is a proud tradition of customer service excellence in all that we do that dates back to 1906. We are privately owned and operated, putting business decisions close to our team. Please visit our website (www.arthurcompanies.com) for additional information.
DISCLAIMER:
This job description is not a complete description of responsibility, but reflects the general qualifications, duties and/or responsibilities necessary to perform this position. Arthur Companies reserves the right to revise the job description as circumstances warrant. Arthur Companies is an at-will employer, which means that either the employee or the company may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. We are an equal opportunity employer.
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