Barley Seed Lab and Field Technician

General Statement

This is a full‑time professional position as a Research Associate for the MSU Barley Breeding research project. Primary duties will be supervising field and greenhouse research to support the barley breeding project, as well as research and student projects. Other research duties are dependent on the applicant’s interest. The successful applicant will be responsible for collecting and tabulating data from breeding trials and research projects and will aid in the production of annual summary publications, other reports and papers.

The position will entail significant interaction with colleagues around Montana, the country and the world.

• Assist in the planning, design and implementation of field research projects.
• Aide with planting, maintaining plots (including fertility and pest management), sample collection, data collection and curation, and harvest.
• Set up trials including testing germination, treating seed, organizing and shipping 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 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/or 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.
• Organizational and time‑management skills.
• Experience supervising personnel.
• Willingness to work as part of a larger team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Montana Department of Agriculture Government Pesticide Applicators License (Demonstration and Research, Agricultural Plant Pest Control and Seed Treatment classifications) within six months of hire.

• Experience managing a greenhouse.
• Ability to plan, design and implement field research including plot layout, establishment, fertilization, irrigation, weed and pest management, and precision harvesting.
• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Science or related field.
• Experience with dryland crops and systems common to the Northern Great Plains.
• Experience in data analysis.
• Grant, scientific paper and/or popular press reporting experience.
• Licenses to fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Navigate rough terrain for extended periods.
• Work in inclement weather conditions for extended periods.
• Operate in dust, pollen‑bearing plants and agricultural pesticides.
• Operate loud equipment and heavy machinery.

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.

Screening of applications will begin on June 17, 2026
; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.