Research Scientist - Policy; part time

Research Scientist I - Policy (part time, 20 hours per week)

The Research Scientist I in Policy at The Land Institute will identify and advance the policy conditions needed to support managing risk for early adopters of Kernza perennial grain. Working at the intersection of agricultural policy, grower engagement, and systems change, you will help identify, evaluate, and address barriers that limit perennial grain producers' access to risk management, conservation, and agricultural support programs.

As part of an interdisciplinary team dedicated to transforming agriculture through perennial grains, you will conduct applied policy research, engage with growers and public agencies, and develop resources that improve awareness, accessibility, and effectiveness of existing and emerging support programs. You will work closely with producers, conservation partners, policymakers, and government agencies to ensure barriers to access and uptake of existing federal support programs are identified and mitigated, and that perennial grain systems are represented in program design, implementation, and future policy development.

Your responsibilities will include assessing agricultural risk management programs (e.g., EQIP, CSP, NAP), synthesizing stakeholder feedback, developing guidance and other support resources, and supporting advocacy and movement-building efforts that strengthen perennial grain adoption. You will help create pathways for policymakers, Land Institute staff, growers, and other stakeholders to better understand and make effective use of risk management strategies for Kernza.

The position requires strong analytical and research skills, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and a demonstrated capacity to build collaborative relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. Success in this role will depend on your ability to translate complex policy and technical information into actionable recommendations while maintaining a systems-level perspective on agricultural transformation and perennial grain commercialization.

• Conduct research and analysis on federal, state, and regional agricultural support programs, including conservation, risk management, and disaster assistance programs, to assess their applicability and accessibility for perennial grain producers.
• Identify policy, administrative, economic, and operational barriers that affect producer participation in agricultural support programs and develop recommendations to improve program effectiveness.
• Monitor emerging agricultural risk management policy developments and evaluate opportunities to support perennial grain adoption through existing and future programs.
• Synthesize stakeholder feedback, program outcomes, and policy research into actionable recommendations for internal and external audiences.
• Develop and maintain a clear, evidence-based policy pathway for integrating Kernza into relevant agricultural support programs, with identified opportunities, barriers, recommended actions, and progress toward implementation.

• Support the development and refinement of agricultural risk management pathways for Kernza producers by working with farmers, agency partners, program administrators, and relevant stakeholders.
• Develop resources that improve grower understanding and utilization of available support programs.
• Contribute to education tools that increase institutional readiness among government agencies and partner organizations to support perennial grain adoption.
• Assist in the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects that advance perennial grain risk management policy priorities and support…