Job Description Summary Organization's Summary Statement: Dr. Kate Tully’s Agroecology Lab at the University of Maryland is seeking an Associate Research Scientist with extensive experience in the domains of decision support tools, cover crops, and sustainable agriculture. This position is housed in a lab that explores the interface of agriculture and ecology, where fields, farms, and landscapes promote crop productivity, ecosystem services, and livelihoods. We encourage candidates from a range of agricultural systems backgrounds to apply. Please note that this position is not available for visa sponsorship.

Duties

and

Responsibilities

The incumbent Associate Research Scientist must be willing and able to take the lead in writing grant proposals to maintain continued financial support for their position, in addition to the following expectations: ● Serve as Program Manager for the Northeast Cover Crops Council, providing support to the governing board by scheduling and conducting monthly meetings, maintaining written documentation of council activities, managing the council website (https://northeastcovercrops.com/), liaising with counterparts in the other regional cover crops councils and stakeholders, and developing/assisting in the development of council activities and products. ● Update and expand the scope of the data in the cover crop species selector and seeding rate calculator decision support tools (https://www.precisionsustainableag.org/decision-support-tools) developed by the cover crop councils in collaboration with the Precision Sustainable Agriculture network; expand tool utility. ● Conduct outreach and training on the Precision Sustainable Agriculture cover crop decision support tools. ● Collaborate with the Agroecology Lab and other members of the Dept. of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture to generate grant proposals. ● Collaborate with scientists and graduate students in the Agroecology Lab to participate in ongoing projects as needed. ● Support the training of graduate students in science-based skills such as the development and presentation of research reports. ● Prepare peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports based on outreach and tool development activities. Physical Demands: Preferences: A Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science, or a related field with a strong emphasis on cover crops, sustainability, and decision support tools is required. Candidates must have: ● A research background in crop and soil sciences and/or agronomy. ● Proficiency providing organizational support within a laboratory setting with regard to record keeping, grant management (to include writing proposals and reports), and the generation of manuscripts (to include drafting and editing documents). ●

Experience

with all processes involved in the development of decision support tools for sustainable agricultural practices, with an emphasis on locating, collating, and populating data; conducting quality control on data; and performing tool user testing. ● Proficiency in data collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Airtable). ● A minimum of five years in an Assistant Research Scientist-type role. ● A minimum of ten years working across institutional and state lines with stakeholder-focused organizations to conduct research, create outreach products, and organize outreach activities/adult education opportunities such as train the trainer events targeted to both layman and scientific audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

●

Experience

with sustainable agriculture techniques, particularly in row crop systems. ● Familiarity with mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US agricultural systems. ● Demonstrated publication record in relevant areas. ●

Experience

working across US regions to conduct research, create outreach products, and organize outreach activities/adult education opportunities such as train the trainer events targeted to both layman and scientific audiences. Licenses/ Certifications: Additional Job Details Minimum

Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop and Soil Science, or a related field with a strong emphasis on cover crops, sustainability, and decision support tools is required. Candidates must have: ● A research background in crop and soil sciences and/or agronomy. ● Proficiency providing organizational support within a laboratory setting with regard to record keeping, grant management (to include writing proposals and reports), and the generation of manuscripts (to include drafting and editing documents). ●

Experience

with all processes involved in the development of decision support tools for sustainable agricultural practices, with an emphasis on locating, collating, and populating data; conducting quality control on data; and performing tool user testing. ● Proficiency in data collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Airtable). ● A minimum of five years in an Assistant Research Scientist-type role. ● A minimum of ten years working across institutional and state lines with stakeholder-focused organizations to conduct research, create outreach products, and organize outreach activities/adult education opportunities such as train the trainer events targeted to both layman and scientific audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

●

Experience

with sustainable agriculture techniques, particularly in row crop systems. ● Familiarity with mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US agricultural systems. ● Demonstrated publication record in relevant areas. ●

Experience

working across US regions to conduct research, create outreach products, and organize outreach activities/adult education opportunities such as train the trainer events targeted to both layman and scientific audiences. Required Application Materials: Cover letter highlighting relevant experience and research interests, CV, contact information for 3 references Best Consideration Date: 8/24/2026 Posting Close Date: 9/01/2026 Open Until Filled: YES Financial Disclosure Required For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website. Department AGNR-Plant Science & Landscape Architecture Worker Sub-Type Faculty Regular Salary Range $80,000-$99,000

Benefits

Summary For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link. Background Checks Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed. Employment Eligibility The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment. EEO Statement The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy. Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice Resources Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online Search Firm Managed Recruitment There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm. Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities: Search Firm Managed Vacancies The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and 388,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus. EEO Statement The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy. Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice Resources Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online The University works hard to make its websites accessible to any and all users. If you need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at one of the below options: Email: jobs@umd.edu Phone: 301.405.7575 Maryland Relay: Dial 711 This contact information cannot be used to inquire about application status. There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm. Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities: Search Firm Managed Opportunities