Research Manager in Ames, Iowa at Practical Farmers of Iowa

Practical Farmers of Iowa Is Hiring a Research Manager

About PFI

Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit organization that has worked to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities since 1985. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events, on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil, healthy food, clean air, clean water, resilient farms and vibrant communities.

This work has always been rooted in our value of welcoming everyone and creating a culture of mutual respect. We believe that a diversity of people, ideas and perspectives strengthens our ability to find creative solutions, enriches our understanding and broadens our impact. At Practical Farmers, we celebrate this diversity and are committed to ensuring that our policies and practices create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and seek to empower and support all applicants and teammates.

Practical Farmers offers a flexible, supportive and fast-paced work environment. Professional development is a core part of our culture and team members are encouraged to take independent initiative to help fulfill our mission.

About the Position

PFI’s research department is primarily responsible for our Cooperators’ Program, through which farmers conduct timely and relevant on-farm research to answer questions about their farms and share what they’ve learned with others.

PFI also offers incentive and technical support programs for environmentally friendly farming practices, many of which have been verified by on-farm research. Through these programs, we work with thousands of farmers in Iowa and surrounding states. These farmers share data with us on everything from farm enterprises and management practices to field locations, soil attributes and cover crops on their farms.

We’re seeking a research manager to lead applied research initiatives that help PFI better understand, measure and communicate the impacts of cover crops and other conservation practices on working farms. This work will involve creating and managing systems for collecting, analyzing and interpreting farm data – specifically, agronomic, environmental and geospatial data from PFI’s research and incentive programs.

A major focus of the role is advancing the use of remote sensing and GIS technologies to assess cash crop and cover crop performance. These tools will also be used to monitor conservation outcomes and generate actionable insights that support both farmer decision-making and organizational learning. As part of this work, the research manager will transform complex datasets into clear analyses, maps, visualizations and reports that show program impact and contribute to a growing understanding of resilient agricultural systems. This person will also join ongoing initiatives investigating nitrogen use efficiency in soil health management systems and the role cover crops play in cash crop yield stability.

In addition to leading technical research activities, the research manager will coordinate and help direct collaborative, multipartner projects involving farmers, university researchers and PFI staff. This person will also help secure and manage funding, cultivate strategic partnerships and communicate findings through grant reports, articles, presentations, online tools and peer-reviewed publications. Through this work, the research manager will ensure that high-quality research is translated into practical knowledge that benefits farmers, informs conservation efforts and advances PFI’s organizational goals.

If you enjoy collaborating with a dedicated group of farmers and teammates, are skilled at using remote sensing techniques and are excited by the prospect of paving a path for how to use this data ethically and effectively to benefit farmers and a more resilient landscape, this role is for you.

Duties

• Design and implement data collection and management tools for multisite, multiyear research projects.
• Analyze, interpret and visualize data using specialized software, tools and models.
• Manage research projects that involve numerous sites and involve collaboration with leaders of PFI’s incentive programs.
• Develop and manage partnerships related to research projects that leverage both organizations' work toward PFI's goals.
• Facilitate collaboration between departments and teams to achieve project objectives concerning geospatial data.
• Write proposals for grant funding opportunities.
• Write articles, stories, reports or technical documentation for teammates and public audiences.
• Other duties as assigned or volunteered to support department or team projects.

Required Qualifications and Characteristics

• Master’s degree in agricultural or conservation science-related field and three years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of cover crop management, soil health principles, nutrient management and conservation practice adoption
• Knowledge of watershed processes, water quality monitoring, nutrient loss pathways and conservation impacts
• Experience with experimental design and implementation of field-scale research studies
• Experience with statistical analysis, interpretation, visualization and reporting of agricultural data
• Strong project management skills
• Experience with open-source statistical software (R, Python, etc.)
• Experience with GIS platforms and geospatial analysis (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, spatial datasets)
• Experience with remote sensing technologies, satellite imagery, NDVI, vegetation indices and geospatial analysis
• Experience with grant writing, management and reporting
• Ability to independently manage large, multiyear research initiatives
• Ability to communicate scientific findings to farmers, funders, partners and the public
• Ability to organize work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment
• Ability to collaborate with universities, technical experts, contractors and external partners
• Ability to learn and apply emerging analytical methods and technologies
• Ability to evaluate project effectiveness and continuously improve programming

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics

• Doctorate in agricultural or conservation science-related field
• Knowledge of current trends in Midwestern agricultural systems
• Understanding of the social and community influences that shape farming practices and conservation decisions
• Effective at handling farmer communication, customer service and data collection across multiple channels (text, email, phone, etc.)
• Experience with SWAT modeling, crop modeling or environmental modeling
• Experience publishing peer-reviewed journal articles
• Public speaking and technical presentation skills
• Event facilitation skills

This is a full-time position with potential for hybrid work. There is a minimum requirement of one day per month at the Ames, Iowa, office and seasonal travel around Iowa and surrounding states. The beginning salary range for this position is $58,000-$70,000 with annual opportunity for salary increases and position advancement.

PFI values its employees and is a flexible and supportive work environment. We offer employees a competitive benefits package that includes employee health insurance with 100% employer-paid premium, generous paid time off, flexible hours, six weeks of fully paid parental leave and 5% automatic 401k contribution after one year of employment.

We also encourage employee professional development and offer a range of specialty benefits employees can use to support their wellness, sustainability and financial goals. Examples of our specialty benefits include contributions towards spouse or dependent health insurance, stipends for remote workers and reimbursements for fitness costs, CSA subscriptions, student loans or eco-friendly purchases. Practical Farmers is a family-friendly employer.

Please apply by completing an application (including contact information, cover letter, resume and references). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.