Research Assistant - Kansas State University

Full-Time • Manhattan, KS

Description

Kansas State University’s Department of Communications and Agricultural Education and Department of Agricultural Economics are hiring a master’s-level graduate research assistant to begin in January 2027. The graduate research assistant will work in areas of social science/human dimensions to better understand and describe Midwestern U.S. row-crop farmers’ challenges and adaptation strategies related to extreme weather and changing weather conditions. The project has two social-science-related objectives: 1) to conduct an economic analysis of the costs and benefits of multi-cropping as an adaptation strategy to changing weather conditions; and 2) to explore farmers’ and their advisors’ attitudes, perceptions, and cropping system adjustments when anticipating extreme weather. This position will be funded through USDA NIFA.

Responsibilities

The successful applicant will assist with and co-lead portions of this research project. Tasks include and are not limited to: conducting literature reviews, designing the study, recruiting landowners, interviewing landowners, analyzing interview data; planning and performing data collection related to crop production, planting, harvest, input usage, prices, and yields.

Qualifications

Applicant must have completed a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications, economics, environmental science, or a related field, by January 1, 2027. The successful candidate will show initiative and motivation, work effectively in cross-disciplinary teams, and have strong interpersonal and written communication skills. Preferred qualifications include undergraduate research experience, completed coursework in microeconomics, and experience and strength interviewing others.

Terms Appointment

Graduate Research Assistants are on annual academic appointments with opportunity for renewal based on performance

• Workload: 20 hours of assistantship-related responsibilities per week

• Annual stipend: $20,500 (USD) for up to two years

• Tuition: Tuition waiver up to 18 credit hours per academic year. Fees are not included.

Start Date

January 2027; if a successful candidate is not found by January, May 2027 may be the start date

Supervisors

Katie Starzec (agricultural communications) and Elizabeth Yeager (agricultural economics)

This position is not eligible for remote work.

For more information:

Katie Starzec, Associate Professor of Agricultural & Natural Resources Communications

kstarzec@ksu.edu

To apply, e-mail a one-page cover letter, resume, and names and contact information of three references (preferably as a single PDF) to Katie Starzec (kstarzec@ksu.edu) with the subject line as "Tradeoffs in Multi-cropping GRA Application <last name>".

Review of applications will begin mid-September 2026 and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Offers will be contingent on acceptance into the graduate program; the application for this assistantship may be submitted prior to acceptance into the program.