Put your classroom knowledge into action with real-world experience on our farms and in our research laboratories. Our farms and labs have several positions to help you gain that experience.

Please apply here:  Undergraduate Employment Application

Current Openings:

Undergraduate Job Description
Dairy cattle Research at Lincoln Avenue Dairy
July- August 2025
Pay: $15/hour

Job Description:

2-month-long nutrition transition trial, with 12 cows enrolled. The trial takes place at the Dairy Cattle Research Unit, located south of campus on Lincoln Avenue in Urbana, IL. Enrollment of approximately 12 Holstein cows will start on July 1st until August 23rd. Cows will be housed in tie stalls. Primary duties will include moving cows to and from the parlor, feeding, recording refusals, preparing, and applying dietary treatments, and pushing up feed. Other duties include collecting weekly milk and feed samples, collecting blood samples, weighing cows, and entering/verifying data. The morning shifts will start at 3:30 AM, and Afternoon shifts will run from 12 to 9 PM. End times may vary depending on trial needs (i.e., weighing, milk and blood samples, etc.). Dairy farm experience is appreciated. Must be able to work 12 hours a week minimum. The pay is minimum wage ($15) with full-time students allowed to work up to 20 hours a week; 40 hours a week in the summer. If you are interested, please contact Laura Ayala at lca3@illinois.edu

Open possibility to get directly enrolled in other trials once this trial is finished.