The Soil Health Institute (SHI), is a non-profit organization created to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soil through scientific research and advancement. The Institute brings together leaders in soil health science and the industry to conduct research and empower farmers and landowners with the knowledge to successfully adopt regenerative soil health systems that contribute economic and environmental benefits to agriculture and society. SHI has a dynamic team of scientists and educators working together to assess and promote soil health practices on U.S. farms, and we need an interdisciplinary scientist who can bridge economics, agronomy, and social science to quantify and communicate the transition to regenerative soil health systems.

SHI is recruiting an Interdisiplinary Scientist to investigate and inform on the quantifiable benefits of soil health that can be incorporated into sustainable sourcing frameworks and supply chain initiatives. This position will work with SHI as a full-time employee for a minimum of 12 months, with possible extension of employment based on satisfactory performance and project needs. We seek a self-motivated individual who is both a rigorous thinker and a driven implementer –someone interested in developing applied research that enables and promotes adoption of on-farm soil health practices. Remote work is acceptable, with periodic travel as needed. Position start date is flexible but preferred by March 30, 2026.

Desired qualifications:

• Education
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in agricultural economics, agronomy, soil science, environmental or agricultural economics, social science, rural sociology, or a related field.
• Essential Capabilities
  • Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new methods across disciplines (economics, agronomy, soil science, social science)
  • Strong analytical skills with experience or willingness to develop expertise in farm-level economic analysis, including partial budget methods and enterprise budgets
  • Understanding of or commitment to learning agricultural production systems and farm management decision-making
  • Experience integrating diverse datasets (economic, agronomic, soil, management records)
  • Both conceptual/analytical thinking skills AND practical implementation abilities—comfortable with both designing research approaches and executing fieldwork
  • Self-directed work style with ability to manage complex, multi-faceted projects
  • Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams and build relationships with farmers and agricultural stakeholders
  • Strong written and oral communication skills with ability to translate complex economic concepts for diverse audiences including farmers, corporate partners, and policymakers.
  • Valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 15% of time.
  • Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Developing and implementing methodologies to quantify the costs and economics of transitioning from conventional to regenerative soil health systems

• Connecting and analyzing integrated datasets that include partial budget economics, soil health metrics, yield data, and management practice indices

• Conducting on-farm fieldwork to understand production systems, collect data, and validate economic models

• Designing and implementing instruments to gather primary data on soil health adoption, economic outcomes, and social benefits of soil health.

• Developing accounting methodologies for corporate soil health goals and supply chain tracking systems.

• Preparing technical reports and peer-reviewed scientific publications communicating research findings to scientific, industry, and policy audiences.

• Translating research findings into practical decision-support tools for farmers and agricultural partners

• Conducting literature reviews and meta-analyses on economic benefits of soil health practices, including yield stability, input cost reductions, and risk mitigation.

• Presenting research results at scientific conferences, industry meetings, and stakeholder workshops.

• Collaborating with interdisciplinary team members including soil scientists, soil health educators, and agronomists.

• Building and maintaining partnerships with farmers, agricultural advisors, and industry stakeholders

Compensation:

The Interdisciplinary Scientist will be paid a competitive annual salary commensurate with education and experience, ranging from $80,000 to $115,000 depending on qualifications. Benefits package includes health insurance, retirement plan contributions, and professional development opportunities. Travel expenses for field work and conference presentations will be paid by SHI.