Plant Pathology Research Technician-1 year position

Position Information

Position Description & Details: This research technician position's main purpose is to assist the plant pathologist to conduct applied small plot field, greenhouse and laboratory research. The position includes supporting all aspects of conducting the research including discussing, planning, preparing, implementing, maintaining, and completion of applied research projects in plant pathology and preparing and disseminating the information and data collected.

Responsibilities:

Provide support for small plot, greenhouse and laboratory agricultural research projects.

• Research project(s) spring seed preparation including cleaning and packaging of plot seed.
  
• Assist plant pathologist to measure and mark small plot locations for various research projects.
  
• Perform seasonal tasks on small plot research trials including but not limited to planting, weeding, spraying, rototilling, swathing, mowing, note taking, and disease incidence determination and harvesting.
  
• Operate side by side, mowers, plot tractors, and plot combines as needed.
  
• Drive state fleet vehicles to offsite trials and other research stations.
  
• Process harvested small plot research trials including but not limited to bagging, storing, cleaning, weighing, and sample collection for quality analysis. Heavy lifting may be required for this task.
  
• Data entry for research results from experiments
  
• Conduct laboratory and greenhouse research related to plant pathology and beneficial microorganisms associated with plants.
  
• Maintain and organize the pathology lab for optimum functionality.
  
• Operate lab equipment following procedures for proper care of lab equipment.
  
• Prepare inventory of chemicals and lab supplies and procure when necessary.
  
• Prepare inoculums of pathogen for lab and field experiments by growing fungal culture.
  
• Assist plant pathology team in keeping lab, state fleet vehicles, out building areas and office area clean and organized.
  
• Keep detailed and accurate lab notebook and research records.
  
• Back up data to the OneDrive and keep handwritten copies in experiment binder.
  

Seasonal part time staff supervision.

• When the plant pathologist or the plant pathology research specialist is not present, this individual may be asked to supervise seasonal technical staff in maintenance and conducting of experiments
  
• See that the assigned tasks are completed as instructed.
  
• Enforce station rules that pertain to temporary summer employees including but not limited to no cell phone usage during work hours, safe driving of motorized equipment, etc. Rules will be explained prior to beginning summer work.
  

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8AM-5PM. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Advertised Salary: DOE

Minimum Qualifications:

- AAS in biology or related field
- Proven successful work experience in biological research
- Outstanding time management and communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft office suite and related technologies
- Competence in basic mathematical computations
- Clean driving record and transportation

Preferred Qualifications:

- B.S. in biology or a related field
- Familiarity with growing plants and/or culturing microbes

About Us

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. Our main campus is located in Fargo, ND with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the entire state. NDSU has been listed in the Top 100 public research universities in the United States for research and development in agricultural sciences, psychology and social sciences, based on reported research expenditures.

NDSU is an exciting place to work offering a stimulating and diverse environment richly populated with people pursuing life-long learning and personal growth. Employees often attend on-campus cultural events, lectures, athletic events and enjoy walks through our beautiful campus.

NDSU employs over 6000 full-time and part-time employees across the state, making it the second largest employer in the community. NDSU is the best college in ND, according to Money Magazine (September 2018). NDSU was named a 2019 Best Value College by Forbes. Fargo made Livability.com's top 10 list of cities to find a job and ranked at #11 for best places to live overall.

NDSU offers a wide array of professional opportunities including faculty, executive, managerial, professional, technical, paraprofessional, office support, servers and crafts/trades. Like a small city, NDSU operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Full time employees are offered a superb benefit package to include 100% company paid health insurance premiums and tuition assistance for employees and immediate family members. All of us at NDSU play an important role in serving our students and public constituencies. We encourage motivated and talented team members that thrive in a higher-ed environment to join our university!

Mission

With energy and momentum, North Dakota State University addresses the needs and aspirations of people in a changing world by building on our land-grant foundation.

Additional Information

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

EO/AA Statement:

North Dakota State University is an Equal Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable.

Veteran's Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements.