Research Assistant

The Wheat Breeding and Genetics program at Michigan State University is seeking a highly motivated and organized Research Assistant I to work as a member of the wheat variety development and research program. This position will support Wheat Research and Variety Development efforts through laboratory, greenhouse, and field-based research. This position’s primary role will be as the Greenhouse and Laboratory Manager to serve as the primary coordinator of greenhouse and laboratory operations.

Responsibilities will include conducting, coordinating, and implementing laboratory and greenhouse experiments for the wheat breeding program and graduate student studies. Field activities may include assisting with planting and harvest of research plots, data collection, collection of field samples for various studies, etc. Work may involve operation of research tractors, planters and combines. Assisting in oversight of hourly student employees will be required.

Performandoverseelaboratory and greenhouseactivitiesincluding:

• Laboratory responsibilities
  • Overseeing daily operations:
    Start-up of laboratory equipment, monitoring research experiments, etc.
  • Maintaining laboratory equipmentandfacilities
  • Performing tasks such as DNA extractionandquantification, tissue sample collection and processing, collection, maintenance, and inoculation of wheat pathogens, milling seed samples, operating specialized equipment for various research experiments, inventoryandordering of supplies,and maintenance of a seed inventory.
  • Leading lab safety:
    Administering site-specific training, keeping updated chemical and biological inventories, and following all MSU EHS lab manuals, policies, and guidelines.
• Greenhouse responsibilities
  • Daily operations:
    Watering and fertilizing of wheat research experiments, monitoring plant health, scouting, and coordinating with MSU Greenhouse Staff for pest management
  • Maintaining a clean environment in wheat greenhouses and growth chambers
  • Performing tasks such as tissue sampling, cross-pollination, plant pathogen inoculations, equipment maintenance (irrigation system, pathogen inoculation chambers, growth chambers, etc)

Plananddevelop lab and greenhouse-basedresearchactivitiesfor the winter wheat breeding programandgraduate student studies.

• Using the PRISM database and
  
  Teams to maintain seed inventory, record experiment data, print greenhouse identification stakes, etc.
• Coordinating all laboratory and greenhouse researchactivitiesto ensure proper executionandhigh-quality results.
• Develop and maintain SOPsandmaintenance schedules for all laband greenhouse activitiesandequipment.

Assist with field research including: collecting field data, inoculation of field disease nurseries, tissue sampling, harvest,and planting.

Supervise undergraduateandgraduate student employees.

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Crop and Soil Sciences, Horticulture, Genetics, Genomics or a related field; one to three years of progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in crop/plant science laboratory and greenhouse research; proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Michigan Commercial Pesticide license is required within six months of hire.

• Experience working with plant pathogens, research methodologies, and laboratory management
• Two to three years of experience in crop/plant science laboratory and greenhouse research.
• Experience in field, greenhouse and laboratory research techniques
• Experience with operation of field research equipment (threshers, combines, planters, etc.
• Excellent organizational and communications skills – including attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member
• Flexibility to work extended days and weekends during wheat harvest and planting seasons

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Cover Letter

CV/Resume

Name and contact information for Three(3) professional references

Inquiries regarding position can be directed to Andy Noble (nobleam1)

STANDARD 8-5

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