Job Title

Agency

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Proposed Minimum Salary

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Job Description

The Research Specialist I (Agronomy) position will perform several tasks associated with different components of field, greenhouse and indoor-based research. The Specialist will assist the project team to ensure timely and successful completion of research and demonstration projects. This individual will be expected to help manage and coordinate planned and ongoing research activities with little or no supervision. The individual is also expected to have experience with both field and greenhouse research, especially relating to various crop cultivation methods as well as supervisory skills. The position also requires experience with laboratory work and protocols, instrumentation as well as data collection, management and analysis. This position will sometimes require working under challenging outdoor conditions and will involve physical activity. This position also requires a strong work ethic, flexibility, and openness to multi-disciplinary research and willingness to work on some weekends if necessary.

This position is funded by a grant or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of grant or restricted funding.

This position may pay more than the salary listed above depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.   ​

Responsibilities:

• Supporting agronomic research and demonstration activities, plot design and layout, planting, implementation of cultural practices including fertilization, irrigation as well as weed and pest control, installing instruments in the field, greenhouse and indoors, project monitoring, data collection, compilation, maintenance and statistical analysis.

• Processing, storage and analysis of research sample, data storage and management as well as statistical analysis.

• Coordinating field activities with farm crew and student workers, supporting the organization of outreach activities and helping with preparation for scientific meetings including getting relevant data summaries and presentations ready.

• Help guide student employees to perform their duties, ordering agrochemicals in consultation with the supervisor, cataloging, and following University protocols pertaining to their storage and use. Help with the ordering of other relevant supplies needed for conducting research.

• Participates in college-wide events.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree

• Four years of related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree.

• Two years of related experience.

• Knowledge of research planning and implementation including the design and conduct of field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments, managing experiments, data collection, management and statistical analysis.

• Grant writing experience.

• Proficiency in statistical software such as JMP, SAS and R.

• Knowledge of method development and the ability to run analytical instruments including ICP, IC and GC-MS.

• Ability to operate field equipment such as tractors.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to lift moderately heavy objects.

• Ability to exert heavy force.

• Ability to endure the stress of working under challenging outdoor weather conditions.

• Work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.