Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. The Land Institute is a non-profit organization focused on developing perennial grain agriculture to address climate, water, and food security issues. They are seeking a Research Scientist I in Agronomical Data Science to enhance data workflows and analytical tools for perennial groundcover research trials, contributing to agricultural sustainability.
Responsibilities
- Refine, validate, and deploy image analysis models to quantify groundcover intensity across diverse field environments
- Process and manage large image datasets from multiple research locations
- Improve model performance across varying lighting conditions, crop stages, and species compositions
- Collaborate with researchers to ensure outputs align with agronomic measurements and experimental needs
- Assist researchers and graduate students in structuring, cleaning, and standardizing datasets
- Develop and maintain data storage workflows and documentation for multi-site trials
- Support the implementation of shared data management systems across collaborators
- Ensure data integrity, reproducibility, and accessibility
- Develop models to evaluate the scalability and limitations of perennial groundcover systems
- Analyze interactions between management practices, environmental conditions, and system performance
- Contribute to scenario modeling that informs best management practices and adoption potential
- Translate complex analyses into clear and actionable insights for researchers and stakeholders
- Provide support on data conclusions and next steps for new research implementation
- Support program lead in developing, implementing, and publishing research projects
- Assisting with grant writing to initiate new projects and external collaborations
- Provide data management support
- Assist with data analysis
Skills
- Master's level degree or equivalent experience in data science, agronomy, or related fields
- Strong programming skills, such as Python or R
- Experience with image analysis or computer vision applications
- Experience working with agricultural or biological datasets
- Demonstrated ability to manage and organize complex datasets
- Experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Familiarity with field-based agricultural research and experimental design
- Experience working in collaborative, multi-institutional research environments
- Knowledge of crop systems, especially perennial or conservation-based systems
- Experience with geospatial data or environmental modeling
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Ability to work independently while collaborating across disciplines
- Clear communication of technical concepts to diverse audiences
- Attention to detail and commitment to data quality
- Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences
- Desire to work independently, with minimum supervision
Benefits
- Remote-friendly work environment
- Paid parental leave
- Competitive, equitable compensation
- 403(b) Retirement
- 403(b) Employer contributions
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Employer-Provided Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Life Insurance
- Accidental Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid holidays
- Generous paid time off
- Complete laptop workstation and set up for remote work
Company Overview
The Land Institute is a research organization advancing perennial grain agriculture. It was founded in 1976, and is headquartered in Salina, Kansas, USA, with a workforce of 51-200 employees. Its website is https://landinstitute.org.Company H1B Sponsorship
The Land Institute has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships, with 1 in 2025, 1 in 2022, 5 in 2020. Please note that this does not guarantee sponsorship for this specific role.