Senior Research Specialist

About This Position

The Ornamental and Nursery Crop Breeding Program in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University seeks a full-time Senior Research Specialist to assist in establishing and managing a comprehensive research and breeding program for ornamental and nursery crops. The position supports the development, evaluation, and release of improved cultivars through greenhouse, laboratory, and field-based research. The role requires initiative, organization, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Must have the ability to travel within the state for sample and data collection.

• Supervise, lead, and train student workers, interns, and junior laboratory personnel to ensure compliance with OSU and regulatory policies.
• Manage daily operations in greenhouse, laboratory, and field environments, including experiment set‑up, data collection, and maintenance of plant materials.
• Implement and conduct experiments focused on breeding, propagation, and evaluation of ornamental crops.
• Perform activities such as sowing, transplanting, vegetative propagation (cuttings, grafting, division, tissue culture), pollination and crossing, seed harvesting, germination, and development of breeding populations.
• Evaluate plants for growth, flowering, foliage color, stress tolerance, disease and pest resistance, ornamental quality, and yield using visual and instrumental measurements.
• Record observations, collect and analyze data, compile reports, and assist with preparation of manuscripts, grant reports, and plant patent or cultivar release documentation.
• Support integrated pest management (IPM) by scouting for pests, diseases, and weeds; identifying issues; and coordinating control measures and pesticide applications.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain field and research equipment and instruments, including pH, EC, moisture, fertility, soluble solids (Brix), pollen and seed viability, and chlorophyll content measurement systems.
• Prepare, review, and update research protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and data management systems to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and safety.
• Maintain chemical inventories, assist with biosafety and compliance documentation, and ensure adherence to OSU’s chemical hygiene and greenhouse safety standards.
• Order, track, and maintain laboratory and greenhouse supplies, tools, and equipment inventories.
• Assist in developing extension and outreach activities such as field trials, demonstration plots, and industry collaborations.

• Bachelor’s in horticulture, plant science, plant breeding and genetics, or a closely related field (degree must be conferred on or before the agreed start date).
• At least five years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or two years of experience with a master’s degree.
• Minimum of three years of successful experience in laboratory, greenhouse, and field settings, including plant propagation, maintenance of breeding and research materials, and data collection for crop evaluation.
• Experience establishing and managing breeding populations, growing horticultural crops under greenhouse and field conditions, evaluating yield and quality, and implementing integrated pest, disease, and weed management practices.
• Completion of college‑level statistics courses.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between university and field research sites.
• Certified pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain certification within the first three months of employment.
• Must be able to lift and carry more than 50 pounds; perform physical tasks required for greenhouse and field research.
• Proficiency in operating laboratory equipment (High Performance Liquid Chromatography, microspectrometers, microscopes, water potential pressure chambers) and field equipment such as mowers and cherry pickers.
• Hands‑on skills in installing irrigation systems, constructing fencing, building tools and infrastructure to support field research, and maintaining or repairing laboratory equipment.
• Ability to analyze data.

• Mas…