Research Associate Malt Quality Lab

Position Information

Announcement Number: STAFF - VA - 26437

Position Number: 4C0675

Department:
Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type:
Professional

FLSA:
Exempt

Union Affiliation:
Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE: 1.0

Benefits Eligible:
Yes

Salary: $51,000 – $56,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Position:
Full-time Professional Research Associate

Location:

Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, MSU

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Job Description:

The Research Associate will directly support the Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab director by conducting daily tasks, including sample organization and preparation, quality testing analysis on various equipment, data collection, organization, maintenance, analysis and reporting, and maintaining laboratory cleanliness. The assistant will also aid in greenhouse, field, seed preparation, support research, contribute to publications, uphold lab safety protocols, and present findings at industry meetings.

• Sample organization and preparation.
• Quality testing analysis using equipment such as NIR analyzer, CLP malters, Buhler disk mill, Pfeuffer friabilimeter, IEC mash bath, Anton Paar densitometer, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, and Fisher Scientific Gallery analyzer.
• Data collection, organization, maintenance, analysis and reporting, including upkeep of Quality Control logs.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness and maintenance.
• Aid in greenhouse, field and seed preparation when necessary.
• Support research, including project development and novel idea generation as well as supervising and empowering undergraduate and graduate research projects.
• Contribute to and submit research publications.
• Uphold lab safety protocols.
• Interact with the public through lab tours and present findings at industry meetings and conferences.

• Master’s in plant science, molecular genetics, food or malt quality analysis or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience generating and managing data.
• Experience with genetic markers.
• Laboratory research experience.

• Agricultural experience.
• Experience in malt quality and/or food quality analysis.
• Experience in managing a greenhouse.

• Work both independently and collaboratively with co-workers.
• Effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Flexibility adapting to evolving lab needs.
• Follow food safety and cleanliness requirements.
• Follow all university rules and policies.
• Experience requiring organizational skills.

Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 9:am – 5:pm, with flexible scheduling for team needs; occasional brief weekend coverage may be required.

Physical Demands:
The lab involves work with grain and dust in the air.

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.

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.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional documents may be submitted but are not required.

Screening of applications will begin on June 17, 2026; applications will be accepted until an adequate applicant pool is established.