Research Associate

Corteva Agriscience is seeking a hands-on Research Associate to help build field research capabilities at a growing agricultural research center in the Indianapolis area. In this role, you will join the Integrated Field Science team and support high-quality, multi-crop field research from trial setup through harvest and closeout.

You will work alongside scientists, agronomy colleagues, and technical partners to execute research protocols, maintain research plots, collect reliable data, and keep field operations running safely and efficiently. Working with minimal guidance, you will also conduct experiments and complex technical activities, interpret results, refine methodologies, and recommend practical next steps.

This is an opportunity to apply your agricultural experience and scientific judgment while helping shape the capabilities and culture of a highly visible research center.

What you'll do

• Help plan and conduct field research trials, including site preparation, planting, treatment application, crop maintenance, sampling, assessment, harvest, and trial closeout.
• Working with minimal guidance, conduct experiments, complex technical operations, and information-search or analysis projects.
• Optimize, interpret, and independently adapt methodologies for current projects; recommend additional experiments or alternative approaches when appropriate.
• Recognize erroneous or unexpected results, analyze and interpret findings, draw sound conclusions, and recommend a path forward.
• Contribute to work plans and manage daily workflow to deliver accurate, timely research results.
• Execute research protocols accurately and collect, record, quality-check, and organize field data for use in project summaries and reports.
• Operate, transport, maintain, and help troubleshoot agricultural and research equipment used for application, planting, harvesting, sensing, and data collection.
• Coordinate day-to-day field activities with scientists, agronomy colleagues, seasonal employees, interns, contractors, and technical partners across on-site and off-site research locations.
• Promote strong standards for safety, stewardship, compliance, data integrity, equipment care, and continuous improvement.
• Support field demonstrations, tours, and other activities that connect agricultural research with customers, partners, and visitors.
• Why this role matters: The Indianapolis-area research center is being developed as a hub for agricultural research, innovation, learning, and internal and external engagement. Your work will help establish dependable field research capabilities and create an environment where scientific concepts can be evaluated under practical agricultural conditions and showcased to internal and external groups.

What Skills you need:

A Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Weed Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Engineering, or a related discipline; or at least five years of directly related agricultural research experience.

Experience conducting applied agricultural field trials and completing field activities such as planting, treatment application, crop maintenance, assessment, sampling, and harvest.

Demonstrated ability to work with minimal guidance, analyze experimental results, identify unexpected outcomes, and make evidence-based recommendations.

Experience operating and calibrating agricultural equipment, with the mechanical aptitude to perform routine setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

A valid driver’s license and the ability to work safely in outdoor agricultural conditions, including seasonal work demands.

Indiana Commercial Applicator License, Category 10 Research and Demonstration at minimum, or the ability to obtain it as soon as possible.

Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred skills:

Experience with multi-crop research, crop protection, biological products, or agricultural technology platforms.

Experience using digital field-research tools, research data systems, sensors, drones, or precision agriculture technologies.

Working knowledge of experimental protocols, data-quality practices, pesticide stewardship, or regulated field-research requirements.

Experience independently adapting research methods or technical procedures to meet project needs.

Experience coordinating seasonal employees, interns, contractors, or work crews.

Experience supporting field demonstrations, tours, or other stakeholder-engagement activities.

What you'll gain

Opportunities to strengthen your scientific, technical, operational, and leadership capabilities.

Collaboration with scientists, innovators, and agricultural professionals.

The opportunity to help build a growing research center and contribute to agricultural solutions with real-world impact.