Scientific Research Specialist CL

The individual in this position provides scientific and field research technical support to the University of Maine's wild blueberry research program, based at Blueberry Hill Farm (BHF) in Jonesboro with occasional duties at the Wyman's Center for Wild Blueberry Research and Innovation in Old Town. The position supports multiple faculty researchers working on wild blueberry entomology, plant pathology, integrated pest management (IPM), crop management, and irrigation/sustainability, and assists with federally funded minor-crop pesticide research conducted under the IR-4 program.

The incumbent establishes and maintains research plots, scouts and samples for insect pests and diseases, collects and manages field research data, and assists with irrigation and water-use studies. The position also assists the Farm Superintendent with general farm operations and equipment needs, including operating tractors and other equipment during planting, pruning, and harvest, ensuring the farm has reliable, cross-trained support across research and production activities.

Full-time, regular position, 40 hours per week, 5 days per week. Normal daily work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position pays $21.93/hour, or applicable transfer rate in accordance with the ACSUM collective bargaining agreement.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assists faculty researchers (e.g., in plant pathology, entomology, agroecology, IPM/crop management, weed science, and irrigation/sustainability) with establishing, maintaining, and harvesting wild blueberry field research plots at Blueberry Hill Farm in Jonesboro and occasionally at the Wyman's Center in Old Town.
• Conducts field scouting and sample collection for insect pests (e.g., blueberry maggot, spotted wing drosophila) and diseases (e.g., mummy berry, stem and leaf diseases; and Collects weekly in-season crop phenology data.
• Assists with IPM research, including deployment and monitoring of insect traps, disease incidence surveys, and collection of field-plot data.
• Supports irrigation and water-use research, including installing, operating, and maintaining irrigation equipment and soil moisture monitoring instrumentation.
• Assists with IR-4 minor-crop pesticide research, including preparing and applying experimental treatments, maintaining required Maine Commercial Pesticide Applicators
• License, maintaining application and safety records (e.g., FIFRA Good Laboratory Practice Standards) and assisting with residue/tolerance sample collection in support of EPA registration petitions.
• Contacts vendors and suppliers to order research and farm supplies and assists faculty with sourcing materials for field trials.
• Enter, organize, and maintain research data (yield, pest and disease counts, weather, irrigation) in spreadsheets/databases for faculty use, and supports student research assistants and seasonal field staff on data collection protocols and the safe operation of field equipment.
• Prepares, analyzes and ships samples for laboratory analysis.
• Assists in the preparation of scientific reports and manuscripts, as well as research-related outreach publications and presentations.
• Assists the Farm Superintendent with general farm and mechanical support, including routine equipment upkeep, and operates farm tractors and other equipment during peak management, pruning, and harvest periods.
• Coordinate and supervise yearly soil sampling at Blueberry Hill Farm and other MAFES
• Maintains and updates logs, checklists, work records and safety documentation
• Adheres to all safety protocols and assists with maintaining compliance in general areas.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level at MAFES facilities, in coordination with the MAFES associate director and superintendents, as needed.

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state.

UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world.

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The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited…