Build the Future of Agriculture
If you want your work to matter outside the lab—guiding real decisions in real farm fields—this is the role for you.
The Digital Ag Innovation Lab partners with leading agricultural companies to design, test, and deploy next-generation technologies and agronomic solutions. Our team works at the intersection of agronomy, digital agriculture, and applied engineering, moving ideas from early concepts to field validation and industry adoption.
Who We Are
The Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University brings together agronomy, engineering, and data science to develop practical solutions for modern agriculture. Our team works closely with agricultural companies, farmers, and researchers to evaluate emerging technologies and advance precision agriculture systems.
Our vision is bold: to be the premier thought leader and partner in agricultural innovation.
Our mission guides everything we do: Innovate. Educate. Outreach.
Innovate with industry partners to develop technologies and practices that improve agricultural productivity and sustainability
Educate the next generation of scientists, engineers, and agricultural professionals
Outreach to farmers and industry stakeholders to translate research into practical adoption
We operate with four core values: Passion. Innovation. Collaboration. Excellence.
The team has a strong innovation record, including 90+ patents and licensed technologies, and continues to develop solutions that shape the future of agriculture.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a Senior Agronomy Lead to provide agronomic leadership for crop systems and digital agriculture initiatives within the Digital Ag Innovation Lab.
This role focuses on translating agronomic insight into practical solutions that support technology development and adoption in production agriculture. You will lead field validation programs evaluating crop systems, management practices, and emerging digital agriculture technologies. Working closely with engineers, data scientists, and industry partners, you will help guide the development and evaluation of technologies that improve agronomic decision-making, crop performance, and farm productivity.
What You'll Do
Lead and manage field-scale validation programs evaluating crop systems, management practices, and emerging digital agriculture technologies.
Generate actionable agronomic insights by analyzing crop, soil, and spatial data using statistical and geospatial tools.
Integrate satellite, UAV, sensor, and field-based datasets to evaluate crop performance and management outcomes.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate agronomy, sensing technologies, and data analytics.
Provide agronomic leadership to guide development, testing, and refinement of emerging agricultural technologies.
Translate field results into practical insights that support technology development and on-farm decision-making for industry partners and agricultural stakeholders.
Lead and mentor research staff and students while fostering a collaborative, high-performing innovation environment.
Contribute to development of externally funded projects and collaborative industry research initiatives.
The successful candidate will have experience in applied agronomy and field-based experimentation, strong analytical skills, and the ability to translate agronomic insights into practical solutions that drive technology development and data-informed agricultural decision-making. Success in this role requires strong collaboration, communication, and project leadership skills, particularly when working with interdisciplinary teams and industry partners.
The candidate will be hired as a Research Scientist IV.
Although this is a term position, it is expected to offer long-term opportunity, with the option for renewal.
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.
The position will remain open until filled.
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)
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