Research Technician ; Yuma, AZ); Extended Temporary

Research Technician I (Yuma, AZ) (Extended Temporary Employment)

Research Technician I (Yuma, AZ) (Extended Temporary Employment)

Position Highlights The Research Technician I will assist with installing and maintaining eddy covariance systems, soil-moisture sensors, weather stations, data loggers, and related field equipment. Duties will also include supporting irrigation activities, soil and plant sampling, crop measurements, data collection and organization, field records, and other research activities under faculty supervision. The position requires regular travel to University research facilities and cooperating commercial farms in Yuma County and surrounding agricultural regions.

Work schedules may occasionally vary to accommodate irrigation events, equipment installation or troubleshooting, crop sampling, and harvest activities. The employee will work with advanced agricultural and environmental monitoring technologies and support research across multiple cropping systems.
This is an Extended Temporary Employment position.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Facilitate installing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting eddy covariance systems, soil-moisture sensors, weather stations, data loggers, and related monitoring equipment.
• Support routine inspections, maintenance, and calibration records.
• Develop and implement field research across multiple cropping systems, including irrigation treatments, crop establishment, field maintenance, and data collection.
• Administer soil, weather, and crop conditions, assist with irrigation operations, and maintain accurate irrigation and field records.
• Collect soil, plant, biomass, yield, and other crop samples.
• Support crop measurements, harvest activities, sample processing, and accurate labeling and record keeping.
• Download, organize, and quality-check data from field sensors and experiments.
• Help identify data issues, maintain research databases, and support preparation of reports, tables, figures, and project documentation.
• Facilitate coordinating field activities with faculty, students, growers, and collaborators.
• Maintain field and equipment records, support training on field instruments and sampling procedures, and follow all safety requirements.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of agricultural field research, irrigation, and crop production.
• Skill in using and troubleshooting field sensors and monitoring equipment.
• Ability to support irrigation scheduling and collect soil, plant, and crop measurements.
• Skill in organizing research data and maintaining accurate field records.
• Ability to travel to research and commercial agricultural fields in Yuma and surrounding regions and to work under field conditions is required.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or high school diploma equivalency is required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to drive according tothe University Fleet Safety Policy .

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in agricultural field research, irrigation management, crop production, environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, research…