What we're looking for

We're seeking an enthusiastic Agronomy Co-op student to join our innovative team at Upside Robotics, where we're revolutionizing agriculture through robotics and AI. The ideal candidate will contribute to our mission of reducing chemical usage while improving crop yields.

The co-op student will:

• Conduct regular crop walks and comprehensive corn field monitoring
• Collect and analyze crop data using our autonomous robotic systems
• Participate in experimental trials focused on nitrogen reduction
• Help optimize prescription modifications to achieve 50% nitrogen reduction while maintaining yield targets
• Collaborate with our Plant Science team to evaluate and improve robot performance

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of traditional agronomy and cutting-edge agricultural technology, contributing to a more sustainable farming future. Based in Waterloo (on-site).

Term

We accept co-op students on a rolling basis. The standard work term is from April 1st to October, but start and end dates can be flexible based on student availability. Term length can be extended or reduced to accommodate academic schedules.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Head of Agronomy to monitor and assess corn fields across 15 customer sites in Ontario
• Conduct weekly field visits to evaluate crop health, growth stages, and nitrogen requirements
• Create and update variable-rate nitrogen prescriptions based on field observations and data analysis
• Collaborate with growers to understand their needs and optimize robotic applications
• Document and analyze field data using QGIS and Excel to improve prescription accuracy
• Support the technical robotics team in field deployment and system optimization
• Assist in drone flight planning and data collection (if applicable)

Qualifications