Description
Assist agricultural scientists by setting up and executing lab, greenhouse, and field experiments; collect and prepare plant, soil, and animal samples; operate and maintain research equipment; record and analyze data; and support studies that improve crop yield and quality and increase resistance to pests and disease.
- • Record experimental, field, and animal-care data.
- • Prepare data summaries, charts, and reports of research findings.
- • Conduct insect and plant disease scouting and surveys.
- • Propagate plants and manage greenhouse or growth-chamber conditions.
- • Operate plot-scale farm machinery (tractors, seeders, sprayers, mowers).
- • Perform research plot husbandry, including tilling, weeding, pruning, and harvesting.
- • Help develop and implement cultural practices or environmental controls for trials.
- • Maintain and repair research facilities, equipment, and tools.
- • Transplant seedlings, vegetables, trees, or other research plant materials.
- • Train and oversee seasonal staff, student workers, or volunteers.
- • Assist with field days and research demonstrations.
- • Measure soil erosion or residue coverage across tillage system trials.
- • Implement fertilizer and nutrient management trials and collect timing and response data.
- • Record environmental data (soil, air, water, pests) to evaluate IPM practices.
- • Measure and weigh reagents and materials for laboratory tests.
- • Set up, calibrate, and operate laboratory and field equipment for testing.
- • Prepare, label, store, and dispose of laboratory samples per SOPs.
- • Inspect plant and animal specimens for diseases, pests, or disorders.
- • Collect plant, soil, water, feed, or animal samples for analysis.
- • Coordinate research pest and weed control applications under study protocols.
- • Prepare research plots by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring as required.
- • Run laboratory and field assays using spectrometers, nitrogen analyzers, air samplers, centrifuges, and pH meters.
- • Test seed lots for viability and vigor.
- • Prepare culture media and sterile solutions following standard procedures.
- • Determine and document germination rates from laboratory or field tests.
- • Ensure compliance with safety, chemical handling, and biosafety procedures.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
