H-1B Visa Agronomist Jobs
Agronomist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in agronomy, crop science, or a closely related field. Employers in agricultural research, biotech seed companies, and cooperative extension programs regularly file H-1B petitions for these positions. The annual cap applies, so timing your job search around the April lottery window matters.
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Get Access To All JobsThis tenure-track position is located at Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC), a diversified crop and livestock research facility located seven miles southwest of Havre, MT (pop. 9,400). The average farm size in northcentral MT is over 4,000 acres and major crop production includes winter and spring wheat, barley, peas, lentils, chickpeas, canola, mustard, flax, safflower, alfalfa, and annual and perennial forages.
Havre offers year-round outdoor recreational opportunities along the Milk River, in the Bear Paw Mountains and at multiple large reservoirs. Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, golfing, skiing, ice skating, civic organizations, and community events, along with cultural attractions including museums, galleries, concerts, and live theater keep locals busy and draw visitors from across the state. Historical attractions nearby include the Montana Dinosaur Trail, Bear Paw Battlefield, Fort Assinniboine, and the Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump. Havre is a small town with a low crime rate and is the regional commercial hub for the Hi-Line. Also located in Havre, but not part of the research center, is Montana State University-Northern, north central Montana’s comprehensive university offering degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s levels.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Cropping Systems Agronomist will lead an applied, field-oriented research program to diversify or intensify current rotation practices in north-central Montana, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, forages, and other alternative crops. This role requires direct engagement in field activities, including data collection, operation of agricultural machinery, and implementation of research methodologies. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to personally design, conduct, and analyze field studies and are expected to remain actively involved in these core responsibilities. This research should enhance the sustained production and economic viability of the region’s farmers. The Department seeks an individual to identify and address research needs in cropping systems through discussions with stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to cooperate with multi-discipline MSU and public-sector scientists, extension personnel, farmers, private industry, advisory groups, and commodity organizations to develop research priorities and assist in developing management recommendations.
As a faculty member of NARC, the successful candidate will have access to on-site dryland and irrigated research fields, a new greenhouse/headhouse facility, laboratory space, farm- and plot-scale equipment, precision irrigation systems, and the opportunity to utilize 300 head of range beef cattle to expand into crop-livestock systems research. There will also be an opportunity to collaborate with our precision agriculture and extension specialist, the crop variety development and testing program, as well as animal scientists. The research center has a very involved Advisory Council made up of producers and industry stakeholders from the surrounding seven-county area to help guide research center activities.
This is a twelve-month tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with research (80%), outreach (10%), and service (10%) responsibilities funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture. This position has no formal teaching responsibilities; however, opportunities to mentor undergraduate and graduate students exist within the College.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Physiology, or a closely related field, at the time of hire.
Documented experience of research involving field crop production and cropping systems research with crops common to Montana.
Demonstrated experience in planning, designing, and implementing innovative and economically relevant field research, and interpreting research results using accepted, innovative, and strategic scientific methodology.
Documented record of peer-reviewed journal articles and outreach materials commensurate with training and experience.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Documented successful grant writing experience
Postdoctoral research experience.
Experience with semi-arid small grain and alternative crop production systems prevalent in the Northern Great Plains region of North America.
Interest in integrating greenhouse trials to supplement field research.
Experience with producer outreach activities.
Personal experience operating field research equipment including tractors, seeders, and combines.
* Demonstrated ability to interact/collaborate in a collegial manner across academic disciplines and cultural diversity, both within the university and with external constituents.
The Successful Candidate Will
Be an engaging scientist who will:
Help MSU continue to provide innovative and impactful agricultural research
Develop a successful and interdisciplinary agronomic research and education program addressing the needs in Montana agricultural sectors
* Utilize excellent written and oral communication skills in all forms of interactions
Work cooperatively with people of all backgrounds
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Currently possess a valid US driver’s license or equivalent and obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within six months of hire
Possesses or will obtain a Montana Government Pesticide Applicator License within six months of hire
* In accordance with MSU policy, hiring will be conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check
Access the Departmental Role and Scope, Incentive Program for Researchers, and Faculty Handbook, for additional details relevant to this position.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
This position will involve extensive work in the field. The successful candidate must be able to navigate uneven terrain on foot, work around dust, seeds, and pollen, work in inclement weather, and occasionally move up to 60 pounds.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
This field-based research program will evolve through utilizing the expertise of the successful candidate and input from stakeholders and collaborating researchers. The program could include examining economically sustainable production systems by evaluating adaptation and management strategies for potential alternative crops and rotations, investigating the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors within cropping systems practiced, examining the effects of unique rotations to enhance sustained crop quality and production, or applying technology to crop management and decision-making within new, intensified, and alternative cropping systems in Montana.
The Department
The Department of Research Centers represents a unique department with faculty and staff that conduct applied research and outreach programs at seven off-campus research centers throughout Montana. The MAES Research Centers are located strategically throughout the state to address regional needs for agricultural producers. Graduate students in the department work within on-campus departments (e.g., Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology or Land Resources and Environmental Science) to obtain their degrees.
The College
The College founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of nine academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Montana State University set a record for expenditures on research in FY25 at more than $288 million, and has more than doubled its total expenditures since 2019. Among MSU’s academic colleges, the College of Agriculture reported the largest research expenditure at $54.1 million. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 17,000 students, including nearly 2,100 graduate students. MSU is classified as R1 in the Carnegie Classification for “very high research activity,” making it one of only 131 universities nationwide in that category.
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on December 18th, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
FLSA Details
FLSA Status Exempt
This tenure-track position is located at Northern Agricultural Research Center (NARC), a diversified crop and livestock research facility located seven miles southwest of Havre, MT (pop. 9,400). The average farm size in northcentral MT is over 4,000 acres and major crop production includes winter and spring wheat, barley, peas, lentils, chickpeas, canola, mustard, flax, safflower, alfalfa, and annual and perennial forages.
Havre offers year-round outdoor recreational opportunities along the Milk River, in the Bear Paw Mountains and at multiple large reservoirs. Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, golfing, skiing, ice skating, civic organizations, and community events, along with cultural attractions including museums, galleries, concerts, and live theater keep locals busy and draw visitors from across the state. Historical attractions nearby include the Montana Dinosaur Trail, Bear Paw Battlefield, Fort Assinniboine, and the Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump. Havre is a small town with a low crime rate and is the regional commercial hub for the Hi-Line. Also located in Havre, but not part of the research center, is Montana State University-Northern, north central Montana’s comprehensive university offering degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s levels.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Cropping Systems Agronomist will lead an applied, field-oriented research program to diversify or intensify current rotation practices in north-central Montana, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, forages, and other alternative crops. This role requires direct engagement in field activities, including data collection, operation of agricultural machinery, and implementation of research methodologies. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to personally design, conduct, and analyze field studies and are expected to remain actively involved in these core responsibilities. This research should enhance the sustained production and economic viability of the region’s farmers. The Department seeks an individual to identify and address research needs in cropping systems through discussions with stakeholders. The incumbent is expected to cooperate with multi-discipline MSU and public-sector scientists, extension personnel, farmers, private industry, advisory groups, and commodity organizations to develop research priorities and assist in developing management recommendations.
As a faculty member of NARC, the successful candidate will have access to on-site dryland and irrigated research fields, a new greenhouse/headhouse facility, laboratory space, farm- and plot-scale equipment, precision irrigation systems, and the opportunity to utilize 300 head of range beef cattle to expand into crop-livestock systems research. There will also be an opportunity to collaborate with our precision agriculture and extension specialist, the crop variety development and testing program, as well as animal scientists. The research center has a very involved Advisory Council made up of producers and industry stakeholders from the surrounding seven-county area to help guide research center activities.
This is a twelve-month tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level with research (80%), outreach (10%), and service (10%) responsibilities funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Agriculture. This position has no formal teaching responsibilities; however, opportunities to mentor undergraduate and graduate students exist within the College.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Physiology, or a closely related field, at the time of hire.
Documented experience of research involving field crop production and cropping systems research with crops common to Montana.
Demonstrated experience in planning, designing, and implementing innovative and economically relevant field research, and interpreting research results using accepted, innovative, and strategic scientific methodology.
Documented record of peer-reviewed journal articles and outreach materials commensurate with training and experience.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Documented successful grant writing experience
Postdoctoral research experience.
Experience with semi-arid small grain and alternative crop production systems prevalent in the Northern Great Plains region of North America.
Interest in integrating greenhouse trials to supplement field research.
Experience with producer outreach activities.
Personal experience operating field research equipment including tractors, seeders, and combines.
* Demonstrated ability to interact/collaborate in a collegial manner across academic disciplines and cultural diversity, both within the university and with external constituents.
The Successful Candidate Will
Be an engaging scientist who will:
Help MSU continue to provide innovative and impactful agricultural research
Develop a successful and interdisciplinary agronomic research and education program addressing the needs in Montana agricultural sectors
* Utilize excellent written and oral communication skills in all forms of interactions
Work cooperatively with people of all backgrounds
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Currently possess a valid US driver’s license or equivalent and obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within six months of hire
Possesses or will obtain a Montana Government Pesticide Applicator License within six months of hire
* In accordance with MSU policy, hiring will be conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check
Access the Departmental Role and Scope, Incentive Program for Researchers, and Faculty Handbook, for additional details relevant to this position.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
This position will involve extensive work in the field. The successful candidate must be able to navigate uneven terrain on foot, work around dust, seeds, and pollen, work in inclement weather, and occasionally move up to 60 pounds.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
This field-based research program will evolve through utilizing the expertise of the successful candidate and input from stakeholders and collaborating researchers. The program could include examining economically sustainable production systems by evaluating adaptation and management strategies for potential alternative crops and rotations, investigating the impacts of biotic and abiotic factors within cropping systems practiced, examining the effects of unique rotations to enhance sustained crop quality and production, or applying technology to crop management and decision-making within new, intensified, and alternative cropping systems in Montana.
The Department
The Department of Research Centers represents a unique department with faculty and staff that conduct applied research and outreach programs at seven off-campus research centers throughout Montana. The MAES Research Centers are located strategically throughout the state to address regional needs for agricultural producers. Graduate students in the department work within on-campus departments (e.g., Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology or Land Resources and Environmental Science) to obtain their degrees.
The College
The College founded in 1893 as a Land Grant University, Montana State University (MSU) is composed of nine academic colleges and a graduate school and boasts a friendly, supportive faculty and campus environment. Montana State University set a record for expenditures on research in FY25 at more than $288 million, and has more than doubled its total expenditures since 2019. Among MSU’s academic colleges, the College of Agriculture reported the largest research expenditure at $54.1 million. Currently, the University hosts an enrollment of over 17,000 students, including nearly 2,100 graduate students. MSU is classified as R1 in the Carnegie Classification for “very high research activity,” making it one of only 131 universities nationwide in that category.
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on December 18th, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
FLSA Details
FLSA Status Exempt
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Agronomist
Align your degree to the specialty occupation standard
USCIS requires that your degree field directly relates to agronomy work. A crop science or soil science degree is a clean match. A general biology degree needs supporting coursework documentation to satisfy the specialty occupation requirement.
Target employers with active LCA filing histories
Use Migrate Mate to filter Agronomist roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for this occupation code. That filing history confirms the employer understands H-1B sponsorship and has done it before for this exact role type.
Check prevailing wage levels before negotiating salary
Run the OFLC Wage Search for SOC code 19-1011 in your target county before any offer conversation. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the prevailing wage for your location, so knowing the Level I through IV thresholds puts you in a stronger negotiating position.
Flag seasonal fieldwork contracts to your attorney early
Some agronomist roles are structured around growing seasons with variable hours or split-site assignments. USCIS scrutinizes whether such arrangements constitute full-time employment. Get your offer letter to explicitly state full-time status and a fixed work location before the petition is filed.
Prioritize cap-exempt employers for faster timelines
Universities, USDA-affiliated research stations, and nonprofit agricultural research organizations are cap-exempt H-1B employers. A position with a cap-exempt institution lets you start work without waiting for the April lottery or an October 1 start date.
Secure foreign credential evaluation before applying
If your agronomy degree is from outside the U.S., get a course-by-course equivalency evaluation from a NACES-member organization before submitting applications. Employers and USCIS both require documentation that your foreign degree meets the bachelor's-level equivalency standard for the specialty occupation.
H-1B Visa Agronomist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Agronomist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. USCIS recognizes Agronomist positions as specialty occupations when the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in agronomy, crop science, soil science, or a closely related discipline. Employers must document that the specific position requires this degree, not just that it is preferred. Roles framed as requiring any science degree without field specificity are more likely to receive a Request for Evidence.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Agronomists?
Seed and crop biotech companies, agricultural chemical manufacturers, USDA research facilities, land-grant university extension programs, and large farming cooperatives are the most active H-1B sponsors for agronomy roles. Government-affiliated research institutions are often cap-exempt, meaning you can start work outside the standard lottery cycle. Browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to see which have filed Labor Condition Applications for this occupation.
How does the H-1B cap lottery affect the timeline for Agronomist job seekers?
The standard H-1B cap allows 85,000 new visas per fiscal year, with registration opening each March. If selected, the earliest employment start date is October 1. This means most cap-subject agronomist roles require you to have an offer finalized by February or March. Pursuing cap-exempt employers at universities or USDA-affiliated nonprofits eliminates this constraint entirely.
Can fieldwork-heavy Agronomist roles create problems with H-1B worksite requirements?
They can. H-1B petitions must specify a primary worksite, and working across multiple farm locations or client fields can trigger compliance issues around the LCA's worksite posting requirements. Your employer needs to file an amended petition or follow DOL short-term placement rules if you're regularly assigned to sites not listed on the original LCA. Clarify worksite arrangements before the petition is filed, not after.
Does O*NET classify Agronomist as a job zone that supports the specialty occupation argument?
Yes. O*NET places Agronomists (SOC 19-1011) in Job Zone 4, requiring substantial preparation and typically a four-year degree. This classification is useful supporting evidence when an employer builds the specialty occupation case for USCIS, particularly if the job description includes duties like soil fertility analysis, crop variety trials, or precision agriculture program management that align directly with degree-level training.