On-Farm Research & Agronomy Coordinator (Fixed Term - to March 31, 2028)
The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is a unique not-for-profit farm organization whose diverse membership has a significant presence across Ontario agriculture and all major commodity sectors. OSCIA’s mission is to facilitate responsible economic management of soil, water, air, and crops through the development and communication of innovative farming practices. The Department of Research and Knowledge Transfer supports this mission through the delivery of applied, on-farm research initiatives that evaluate practical beneficial management practices (BMPs) under real Ontario farming conditions and support the adoption of sustainable, profitable farming systems.
The On-Farm Research & Agronomy Coordinator is situated within the Department of Research and Knowledge Transfer and works primarily on the Living Lab – Ontario program delivered by OSCIA. This role serves as a critical bridge between farmers, researchers, agronomists, and project partners, supporting the successful implementation of on-farm research trials across Ontario. The successful candidate will combine practical agricultural knowledge with strong applied research skills to coordinate field-scale trials, support data quality and sampling activities, and build trusted working relationships with farmer cooperators and research partners.
The On-Farm Research & Agronomy Coordinator is a full-time position at 36.25 hours per week, with an end date of March 31, 2028, and is a hybrid role requiring two days per week based out of OSCIA’s Guelph office. This position may require occasional work outside of normal working hours and frequent travel to support events or sampling activities and to occasionally connect with farmer cooperators in the evening based on their scheduling needs.
What We’re Looking For:
We are seeking a candidate with both practical farming credibility and applied research experience. The ideal candidate understands Ontario field crop production systems and farm management practices well enough to confidently engage in conversations with farmers while also understanding the scientific rigor required to support high-quality on-farm research.
This role requires someone who can:
- work comfortably and professionally with both farmers and researchers;
- understand how real-world farming practices, equipment, timing, weather, and operational constraints influence trial design and implementation;
- coordinate and monitor on-farm research trials with attention to scientific protocols and data quality;
- determine appropriate timing for field activities such as soil sampling, cover crop biomass sampling, agronomic monitoring, and other seasonal measurements;
- communicate technical information in practical, farmer-focused language;
- manage multiple moving pieces, including sampling schedules, project deliverables, service providers, farm data collection, and administrative requirements such as invoice tracking and reporting.
This role is highly applied and field-oriented, requiring practical problem-solving and adaptability in real farm environments rather than strictly controlled research settings. It requires comfort working in dynamic farm environments where schedules and priorities may shift quickly due to weather, crop conditions, and farm operations.
The ideal candidate can effectively operate in both farm and research environments, communicating comfortably with producers, agronomists, researchers, and project partners. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable discussing nitrogen management practices and soil sampling strategies in the field, reviewing research protocols with project partners, and ensuring program deliverables and farmer support activities are completed accurately and on time.
Key Responsibilities & Duties:
Research Program Delivery & Support
- Support OSCIA’s applied on-farm agronomy field crop research programs by serving as the primary point of contact between the Organization, its farmer cooperators and its researcher partners, with a primary focus on the Living Lab – Ontario project, and for other projects as may be required.
- Coordinate field-scale agronomic trial activities including monitoring, drone seeding, satellite and NDVI imaging, soil sampling, profit mapping, and other potential research trial needs.
- Coordinate and conduct field sampling activities aligned with agronomic management practices and seasonal crop time
- Manage the quality control of farm operation data and soil health data from farmer cooperators, project service providers, and publicly available sources.
- Provide oversight and assistance to farmer cooperators in field crop research trial design, set-up, execution and data collection.
- Contribute to the setup of farm-specific models for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in HOLOS, Agrisuite, and commercial software for cooperator sites.
Administration & Reporting:
- Support data management, tracking, and reporting performance measures and program deliverables for applied research programs in field crops.
- Support the knowledge translation and transfer of research outcomes to project stakeholders, farmer cooperators, and Ontario farmers.
- Assist farmers and collaborators with the invoice submission process.
- Attend program meetings and capture discussions and action items through compilation of notes.
- Maintain accurate documentation and records to support internal reporting and compliance requirements.
Stakeholder Engagement & Knowledge Transfer:
- Collaborate with Research and Knowledge Transfer staff, other OSCIA departments, government staff and researchers (such as AAFC and OMAFA), academic researchers, and other ag-industry partners to support research trial development and ongoing trial implementation.
- Support interactions and relationships with stakeholders and project funders.
- Promote research results and research programs through speaking and representing the organization at events and meetings, as well as planning of research meetings.
- Promote a positive farmer and researcher experience through proactive communication and consistent support.
- Other duties as assigned.
Performance Metrics/Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Deliverables Achievement: Achievement of assigned research program deliverables and reporting milestones as outlined in funding agreements.
- Timeliness: Timeliness of achieving research project objectives and milestones managed by OSCIA.
- Customer Service: Responsiveness to farmer inquiries and stakeholder requests, including professionalism and customer service quality.
- Continuous Improvement: Contribution to continuous improvement initiatives, including identification of efficiencies and process enhancements.
- Communications Support: Effectiveness in supporting communications and knowledge translation and transfer material development.
- Foster Sustainability: Ensuring the work we do improves the viability and sustainability of rural Ontario and Ontario agriculture.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
Education: Post-secondary degree in soil science, agronomy, crop science or a related field. A research-based master’s degree with an on-farm component and a focus on field crops would be considered an asset.
Years of Experience: Strong understanding of Ontario field crop production systems, seasonal farm operations, and agronomic management practices is required., obtained through 2-5 years of relevant industry experience.
Specific Experience:
- Practical agricultural experience and comfort working directly with Ontario farmers are essential for success in this role.
- Experience with Ontario field crop production systems, seasonal agronomic decision-making, and agricultural operational timing is required.
- Familiarity with planting, nutrient management, harvest timing, cover crops, tillage systems, and soil fertility practices, is required.
- Must have a very strong understanding of farm operations and production practices for field crops, along with the ability to calculate fertilizer rates, as well as knowledge of planting dates and crop growth stages for common crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat, etc.
- Must have significant experience and competency with executing field crop research, including sampling protocols, experimental design, data collection and analysis.
- Must have experience with best management practices in Ontario.
- Strong understanding of agriculture, environmental and economic farm sustainability, biosecurity, and soil health and water quality.
- Must have exceptional interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills, and a passion for engaging directly with stakeholders on a regular basis (both in person and virtual).Ability to perform farm operational data conversions and calculations, including converting an application rate of a fertilizer product to actual lbs applied.
- Certified Crop Advisor or P.Ag designation would be an asset.
- Excellent communication skills, including ability to communicate directly with producers via phone and email, social media, and report writing.
- Demonstrated attention to detail, effective time management, and strong organizational skills that include setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
- Proficiency in computer programs including all Microsoft applications, data visualization software, and digital survey-management programs.
- Understanding of data sharing and security principles, and experience navigating sensitive
- Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team, providing innovative and creative contributions and seeking opportunities for improvement.
- Demonstrated ability to deal with periods of high demand and ability to remain positive and flexible to changing demands. French language skills are an
- Valid Driver’s Frequent travel is required and while mileage will be compensated, access to a personal vehicle is essential.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of how to conduct on-farm field crop research trials, including design, execution, sampling and monitoring.
- Knowledge of and familiarity with Ontario field crop agriculture practices and best management practices, specifically in field cops, related to soil health and water quality.
- Knowledge of field crop farming practices for corn, soybean and wheat, including farming operations, timing of production activities and producer needs.
- Understanding of growth stages for corn, soybean and wheat.
- Familiarity with government funded cost-share programming and field crop on-farm applied research initiatives.
- Knowledge of best practices for administration and coordination of research programs.
Skills:
- Strong technical skills around on-farm field crop research trial implementation and execution.
- Exceptional communication skills, both in-person and over the phone, virtually and email.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with ability to support farmers and stakeholders professionally.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Excel, and comfort working with databases and reporting tools.
- Effective public speaking and presentation skills.
Abilities:
- Ability to make informed field and sampling decisions based on crop stage, agronomic practices, seasonal conditions, and farm operations.
- Ability to conduct and set-up on-farm field crop research trials, including design, execution, sampling and monitoring, and demonstrated skills in developing applied on-farm research protocols and approaches.
- Ability to determine when on-farm field crop research activities would take place and how to coordinate that with farmer operational activities and timing throughout the growing season.
- Ability to communicate well with farmers, as well as with researchers.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and coordinate with internal and external partners.
- Ability to perform data conversions and calculations related to fertilizer application rates and other producer-related farming activities.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
- Hybrid work model combining remote and in-office work, with the position based in Guelph, ON. Weekly presence with a minimum of two days per week in the Guelph office is mandatory.
- Home office settings require a dependable, high-speed internet connection to ensure effective participation in virtual meetings and online collaboration.
- May require occasional work outside of standard business hours (e.g., early mornings, evenings, or weekends) to attend meetings, events, or respond to organizational needs.
- Requires regular use of a computer; prolonged sitting, typing, and screen time required.
- May involve occasional lifting (e.g., files, laptop, equipment for field work – up to 25 lbs).
- Must be adaptable to a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and time-sensitive deadlines.
- Must hold and maintain a valid driver’s licence and have access to reliable transportation for occasional travel to meetings, stakeholder events, and organizational sites.
- Must maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality when handling sensitive or organizational information.
What we offer:
- A collaborative, constructive and dynamic work environment.
- The ability to make meaningful contributions to leading-edge agricultural programming.
- Hybrid work opportunity: OSCIA staff work from our Guelph head office a minimum of two days per week, and are supported in an ability to work off-site for up to three days per week.
- Progressive policies to support work-life balance and professional development.
- Onsite parking is available at no cost.
- A competitive salary commensurate with experience level.
Ability to collaborate with both farmers and researchers to effectively plan research trial implementation, adapt to changes, and gather necessary data and input to meet reporting requirements and deadlines.
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest in this position!
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT (AODA IN ONTARIO)
OSCIA is committed to providing a barrier-free work environment in concert with the provincial guidelines for accessibility (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code, Ontario Only). As such, OSCIA will make accommodations available to applicants with disabilities upon request during the recruitment process.
HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENT
OSCIA strives to ensure that its employment practices are free from direct and indirect discrimination and is committed to upholding the human rights of those participating in the hiring process. In pursuit of this commitment, OSCIA will not condone or tolerate any acts of discrimination or harassment under any of the grounds protected under human rights legislation. This commitment extends to the hiring process and throughout the course of employment.
