Description

Corteva Agriscience has an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to join our team in Marion, Iowa. The Research Associate (RA) provides day-to-day support for a variety of activities at the Marion research center. The candidate will play a key role in supporting all projects at the research center through activities including experiment planning, data collection and analysis, and field operations including planting, pollinating, and harvest. No matter your role, you will be part of a team that is building the future of agriculture – leading breakthroughs in the innovation and application of science and technology that will better the lives of people.

What You’ll Do:

• Conduct field research experiments according to specific protocols, exercising independent judgment and discretion as appropriate. Assist with research center projects and research seed production activities, including seed preparation for planting, pollinating, and combine/hand harvest. These are critical times for the success of the research program, so weekend work and overtime will be required at these times.
• Collaborate with experiment managers to collect timely data and summarize results of experiments, note problem areas during data collection, and recommend actions to be taken where needed. Computer skills and the use of Corteva proprietary software for completing these tasks will be a significant component. The handling of large volumes of data will be required.
• Operate agricultural research equipment. This includes tractors, planters, sprayers, forklifts, and research combines.
• Opportunity to work in team environment advancing the next generation of products to market, including across multiple cropping systems with emphasis on corn and soybeans.
• Maintain or improve efficient daily and seasonal workplace operations.
• Contribute to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment.
• Provide support for other research projects at the Marion research center as assigned. Including potentially assisting with regulated trial management and monitoring.
• Determine how to conduct experiments to meet researchers needs within allotted time constraints.
• Provide input to a team driven environment to solve complex issues.
• Evaluate data collection needs and expectations, determine labor needs to meet those expectations and coordinate with Research Operations Lead to obtain needed labor.
• Evaluate testing sites throughout season to ensure cultural practices are appropriate to produce excellent research data, including fertility and weed control that could impact data quality.

Qualifications

Education:

Minimum Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in agronomy or related discipline.

Competencies and Experience Desired:

• Knowledge of agronomy, crop production, plant development, and experimental field plot design.
• Ability to gain competencies with various research field and data collection equipment as well as necessary computer and data collection hardware and software.
• Supervisory and leadership skills to effectively coordinate complex research center operations.
• Demonstrated problem solving skills, strategic analysis, and communication skills.
• Self-motivation and ability to initiate projects, improvements, decisions, and team collaboration.
• Team player – we are a multi-function research center, so the successful candidate will work across crops and assigned projects.
• Capacity to work independently while setting high expectations.
• Ability to operate agricultural research machinery while observing all safety requirements.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide applicators license and CMV license to haul trailers.
• Competency with standard Microsoft Office programs, along with handheld PC experience, and capacity to learn new software.
• Must be capable of working in varying ergonomic and environmental conditions for extended periods of time.
• Flexibility to work extended days at critical times of the season. Some overnight stays during planting and harvesting are required.

VISA sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You:

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here – Corteva Benefits
• Check out life at Corteva! www.linkedin.com/company/corteva/life

Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.