Barley Seed Lab and Field Technician

Overview

This is a full‑time Research Associate position within the MSU Barley Breeding research project. The successful applicant will supervise field and greenhouse research activities, collect and tabulate data from breeding trials, and help produce annual summary publications, reports, and papers. The role requires interaction with colleagues nationally and internationally.

• Assist in the planning, design, and implementation of field research projects.
• Aid in planting, maintaining plots (fertility and pest management), sample collection, data collection, curation, and harvest.
• Set up trials, including testing germination, treating seed, organizing and shipping out trials, post‑season processing, and data collection.
• Maintain the germplasm seed collection.
• Oversee student and seasonal employees.
• Operate field and processing equipment.
• Maintain plot and laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Manage the breeding greenhouse, including planting, fertility, pest scouting, watering, harvesting, and processing breeding materials.
• Establish, maintain, and ensure compliance with safety standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Agricultural field experience.
• Ability to operate, calibrate, and maintain tractors, sprayers, planters, harvesters, and seed cleaners.
• Experience with field fertility, weed, and pest management.
• Experience in collecting and recording field data.
• Experience operating farm‑scale or plot‑scale equipment safely.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Experience supervising personnel.
• Willingness to be part of a larger team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to obtain a Montana Department of Agriculture Government Pesticide Applicators License with the required classifications within six months of hire.

• Experience managing a greenhouse.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, design, and implement field research, including plot layout and maintenance, fertilization, irrigation, weed and pest management, and precision harvesting.
• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or related field.
• Experience with dryland crops and cropping systems common to the Northern Great Plains of the United States.
• Data analysis experience.
• Grant, scientific paper, and/or popular‑press report writing experience.
• Experience and licenses to fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

• Move and maneuver up to 60 pounds.
• Navigate rough terrain for extended periods.
• Work in inclement weather conditions for extended periods.
• Work among dust, pollen‑bearing plants, and agricultural pesticides.
• Work around loud equipment and heavy machinery.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

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.