Barley Seed Lab and Field Technician

Barley Seed Lab and Field Technician

This is a full‑time professional Research Associate position for the MSU Barley Breeding research project. Primary duties include supervising field and greenhouse research supporting the barley breeding project, as well as research and student projects. Other research duties may depend on applicant’s interest.

• Assist in the planning, design and implementation of field research projects.
• Specific field duties will include aiding in planting, maintaining plots (including fertility and pest management), sample collection, data collection and curation, harvest.
• Specific duties for setting up trials include 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 breeding greenhouse, including planting, fertility, pest scouting, watering, harvesting and processing breeding materials.
• Establish, maintain and ensure compliance to safety standards.

• Move and maneuver 60 pounds.
• Navigate rough terrain for long periods of time.
• Work in inclement weather conditions for long periods of time.
• Work in and around dust, pollen‑bearing plants, and agricultural pesticides.
• Work with and around loud equipment and heavy machinery.

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Agricultural field experience.
• Demonstrated 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 in the safe operation of farm scale and/or plot scale equipment.
• Proven attention to detail.
• Proven organizational and time management skills.
• Experience in successfully supervising personnel.
• Willingness to be part of a larger team. Experience with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Montana Department of Agriculture Government Pesticide Applicators License with demonstration and research, agricultural plant pest control, and seed treatment classifications within six months of hire.

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

• Must be willing to work outside of traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends, when research protocols dictate.
• Must be able to drive a pick‑up truck while towing trailers or farm implements.
• Must be able to safely enter, exit and operate numerous types of farms and research scale machinery unassisted.
• Must be able to safely and effectively use seed cleaning and seed processing machinery.
• Must have or be able to obtain a valid State of Montana driver’s license as travel will be required.

The successful candidate will have effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, time management skills, will be detail oriented, follow all University rules and policies, will have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with co‑workers and will positively represent the program and the University to all stakeholders.

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.