Research Specialist (Rahman)

Position Information

Position Description and Details:

The Oilseed Breeding Program in the Department of Plant Science, North Dakota State University is seeking a Research Specialist to assist in breeding activities including field trials at multiple locations, greenhouse activities, and laboratory work. This is a 12-month funding obtaining from Northern Canola Growers Association (NCGA) every year since 2015. Funding could be obtained every year based on funding availability and performance of research goals.

Position Responsibilities:

Assist with the design, implementation, and analysis of experiments conducted by the oilseed breeding program. Areas of research include improvement of seed yield, seed oil, seed quality, and disease resistance. Assist in plant breeding operations in field nurseries at multiple locations, greenhouse, plant growth chamber, and laboratories. Duties perform under guidance of the program leader. Train the time slip employees to do daily activities and help graduate student's research project.

Field research responsibilities includes tillage, field map development, planting, plot maintenance, in field weed control, crossing, bagging, disease screening, note taking, prepare associated field books, and harvest the breeding nurseries and yield trials. Will operate and transport small to mid-sized agriculture tractors, planter, cultivator, swather, combines, trucks and trailers, plot sprayers, and perform herbicide and weed control of field research. Proper maintenance and storage of all equipment used for the breeding program. Greenhouse and plant growth chamber responsibilities includes pot preparation, planting, crop maintenance, crossing, bagging, disease screening, harvesting, log book maintenance, assist graduate student's project, supervise part-time workers round the year. Laboratory responsibilities includes (i) seed treatment, seed cleaning, tagging, packaging, seed storage, seed inventory, seed preparation for planting, winter nursery shipment, (ii) calibrate and run NMR and NIR for seed quality analysis, (iii) data insert in Excel sheet, (iv) maintain updated inventory of field planting and harvest, greenhouse planting and harvest, seed inventory (seed amount and germination %), (v) proper storage of fertilizer and chemicals, (vi) work with Plant Sciences pipeline data management team to learn how to use Windows tablet for field data collection, and learn how to randomize yield trials and to analyze field experimental data using AGROBASE. Continue with high level of field, greenhouse, and laboratory management to ensure an increased number of plots in the field, and increased number of plants in the greenhouse are growing satisfactorily.

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. degree in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Crop and Weed Sciences, Plant Pathology, Biology or equivalent related experience in a field crop research program.
• Knowledge and skills in farm and research equipment operations and transportation.
• North Dakota Certified Applicators License or ability to obtain shortly after start employment.
• Computer competence in the use of Excel, Word, Power Point, and data management.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Valid U.S. driver license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Crop and Weed Science.
• Experience in working with small plot research in the field/greenhouse.
• Farm background or relevant farming experience with using farm machinery.
• Supervisory skills.

Special Conditions:

Operate and transport trailer, small to large-sized tractor, combine, swather, planter, cultivator, plot sprayer. Physically able to perform field research.

Physical Demands:

Physically able to perform field research, load and unload field equipment on trailer, lifting up to 50 lbs.

Applicant Materials Requirements:

Applicants must submit (1) a cover letter to explain how the stated qualifications are met, (2) a detail resume, (3) contact information (e.g., name, phone number, email address, business address) of three current references from the most recent positions held.

Benefits:

NDSU offers a comprehensive benefits package with includes single or family health insurance coverage with premiums paid for by the university - with an effective date for new employees the first of the month following date of hire. Other benefits include, wellness benefits, basic life insurance, retirement plan, tuition waiver, annual leave, EAP, sick leave and holiday pay. Optional benefits include supplemental life, dental, vision, long-term care insurance, flexible spending account, and supplemental retirement plans.

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.