Principal Research Scientist

SALARY RANGE: $80,192-$100,240.50 

At Noble, we believe the health of soil, plants, animals, and humans is one and indivisible. We believe in rebuilding healthy soils and helping producers maintain a strong bottom line. Through these two actions, we can transform degraded grazing lands across the United States, benefiting the environment and society as a whole.

Our focus is to help farmers and ranchers apply regenerative ranching principles to the nation’s 654 million acres of grazing lands. This monumental undertaking requires thousands of producers across the U.S. to overcome significant barriers and change their current practices to work with nature, not against it.

Our research team conducts applied research to validate and understand the boundaries of regenerative management. This research aims to uncover new knowledge, address challenges faced by farmers and ranchers, and contribute to the broader scientific understanding of soil health and grazing animal production. Our researchers strive to answer critical producer-guided questions regarding soil management, grazing, economics and business operations.

We are looking for a Principal Research Scientist that will provide scientific leadership in understanding, managing, and enhancing forage and plant communities within grazing lands to support soil health, forage productivity, and overall ecosystem function.

The primary focus of this position is on the agronomic and ecological function and management of forage and grazing land plant communities, including their interactions with soil, livestock, and management practices. This work will inform science-based recommendations for producers seeking to improve forage productivity, diversity, and ecological health across working landscapes. This position will design and execute applied research programs, work collaboratively with Noble’s research team, producers and research partners, and translate scientific insights into actionable management strategies for land stewards.

The ideal candidate will have: 

• Strong foundation in agronomy, forage ecology, and grazing management
• Proven record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant scientific areas
• Demonstrated expertise in forage and grazing systems, plant ecology, and the plant-soil-animal continuum
• Success in grant development and project leadership
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; proficiency in integrating field and systems-level research
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex science to diverse audiences
• Commitment to team-based, interdisciplinary problem-solving aligned with Noble’s regenerative agriculture mission
• Commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and producer engagement
• Familiarity with emerging technologies for monitoring soil, forage, or animal performance
• Experience conducting on-farm or participatory research in grazing systems
• Understanding of carbon cycling, nutrient management, and soil health indicators in grazing contexts

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct applied research on grazing systems emphasizing the interactions among plants, soils, and livestock under varying management and environmental conditions.
• Develop innovative, field-based approaches to improve forage production and utilization, grazing efficiency, and soil health outcomes.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and communicate results to both scientific and producer audiences.
• Work collaboratively with Noble’s research, ranches, and producer guidance teams to integrate science with on-the-ground ranching practices.
• Represent Noble at professional meetings, workshops, and outreach events to advance the organization’s mission and visibility.
• Secure competitive external funding through grant writing and collaborative partnerships.

We will:

• Teach you. We will support you with professional development opportunities that will hone your skills and grow you professionally.
• Support you. We’re committed to building solutions for each other in addition to our stakeholders. Our team members make time to help, provide solutions, and remove roadblocks with regular collaboration across groups, regardless of where our office is. We are empowered and equipped with the tools that allow us to connect, to be intentional and to grow together.
• Include you. We come from different parts of the globe and from different walks of life, but we share the vision of our founder, Lloyd Noble, to improve the land for the benefit of