The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University is seeking an Agricultural Assistant II to support field, greenhouse, and precision agriculture research activities within a Field Crop Plant Pathology laboratory.
This position plays an important role in advancing applied agricultural research focused on crop production, pest management, and emerging technologies. The Agricultural Assistant II will contribute to field and controlled environment studies, support drone and precision agriculture operations, and assist with research data collection and project coordination.
Working closely with faculty, staff, and students, this position offers the opportunity to contribute to innovative research projects while gaining hands-on experience with field operations, greenhouse management, and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
Responsibilities
Support field operations including planting, pesticide and fungicide application, harvesting, plot maintenance, and equipment setup.
Coordinate field research activities and ensure adherence to research protocols and crop health standards.
Manage daily greenhouse and growth chamber operations, including plant care, irrigation, nutrient schedules, treatments, and data collection.
Assist with drone-based research activities, including flight planning, aerial imaging, data retrieval, and equipment maintenance.
Ensure drone and field operations are conducted in accordance with safety and regulatory standards.
Collect, record, and perform quality checks on research and field data.
Assist with a variety of agricultural research activities and perform additional duties as needed to support the research program.
Why Join Our Team
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on agricultural work, research, and technology. You will have the chance to work across field, greenhouse, and drone-based research projects while contributing to impactful work that supports Iowa agriculture and crop production systems. The position offers variety, meaningful collaboration, and exposure to emerging tools in precision agriculture and integrated pest management.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience assisting with agricultural or biological research activities, including data collection, plot maintenance, and basic data analysis.
Hands-on experience with field, greenhouse, and laboratory research systems, particularly in plant pathology, agronomy, or related disciplines.
Familiarity with plant disease identification and standardized disease rating methodologies for major crop systems (e.g., corn, soybean).
Experience supporting pesticide or fungicide efficacy trials, including application techniques, plot evaluation, and data collection.
Familiarity with basic microbiological or plant pathology laboratory techniques, such as aseptic technique, culturing, and pathogen isolation.
Strong organizational and data management skills, with demonstrated ability to maintain accurate, reproducible datasets across multiple concurrent projects.
Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary research teams, including communication with graduate students, faculty, or technical staff.
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.
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 Vitae
2) Letter of Application / Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu 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
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.
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 eooffice@iastate.edu.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.