DRIVES Research Associate

About the Department

The Agroecology Lab at NC State works to create more sustainable, resilient, and varied farming systems by:

• Understanding how varied cropping systems support healthy soil, clean water, and other natural benefits, and reduce the risk of adverse weather
• Finding practical ways to increase the variety of crops grown on farms
• Exploring how these practices fit into real-world farming and food systems

Through hands‑on research, teaching, and collaboration with students, farmers, and the community, we aim to build a more sustainable and just food future for North Carolina and beyond.

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well‑being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical
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• Flexible Spending Account
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• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer:
Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

The DRIVES Agroecology Research Associate will work under the supervision of the Agroecology Professor to support the growth of the Agroecology Lab’s research program about the impacts of crop diversification. Key responsibilities will include organizing and maintaining the Diverse Rotation Improve Valuable Ecosystem Services (DRIVES) database (drives-network.org) and conducting synthesis research on crop diversification across a range of environmental conditions.

The DRIVES database is a network of data from long-term cropping systems experiments. The Associate will be responsible for database expansion and enhancing interoperability using data dictionaries and controlled vocabularies when including additional variables. They will lead database content development and write code to assess the linkages between rotational diversity and economic performance and soil health. They will prepare publications for peer-reviewed journals and develop partnerships across the long-term cropping systems research community.

Duties include:

• Organize, maintain, and expand the Diverse Rotation Improve Valuable Ecosystem Services (DRIVES) database.
• Enhance database interoperability by developing and implementing data dictionaries and controlled vocabularies.
• Integrate and validate data from long-term cropping systems experiments across multiple research sites.
• Ensure data quality, consistency, and accessibility to support collaborative agroecology research.

• Conduct synthesis research evaluating the impacts of crop diversification across diverse environmental conditions.
• Develop and maintain analytical code to examine relationships between rotational diversity, economic performance, and soil health.
• Interpret research findings and prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Present research findings and contribute to reports, publications, and other scholarly products.

• Develop and maintain partnerships with collaborators across the long-term cropping systems research community.
• Coordinate with researchers to facilitate data sharing and database expansion.
• Participate in project meetings and communicate project progress with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to advancing the Agroecology Lab’s research program through collaborative initiatives.

Position is contingent on availability of funds, potentially 6 months to 1.5 years

• Mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, disseminating research in publications and outreach…