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Research Specialist (Thompson)

Employer
North Dakota State University
Location
Fargo, ND
Salary
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Industry
Education
Role
Other
Job Type
Long-Term
Hours
Full Time

Job Details

Position Information

Position Description & Details:

The Department of Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University is seeking a research specialist to assist in all aspects of activities associated with the potato breeding/genetics program in developing improved cultivars and germplasm. The candidate is expected to participate in all field, greenhouse and laboratory activities involved in a plant breeding program. This includes planning, organizing and conducting research experiments under the supervision of the project leader. Tasks may include, but are not limited to, hybridizing, seed and field preparation, planting and maintenance of field and greenhouse research trials, certified seed potato production, data collection and statistical analysis, DNA extraction and marker assisted selection, potato processing, and assisting the program leader in compilation of data and research results. The candidate will interact and work as a part of an interdisciplinary team including technical staff, students, interns, potato producers and industry representatives, plant breeders, and other scientists; excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to this role. Duties involve all aspects of a breeding/genetics program, providing the candidate with a holistic approach, knowledge, and experience of all aspects involved in the functions of a plant breeding program.

Advertised Salary: $50,000+/year

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelors degree in agronomy, agriculture, horticulture, biology, or related life science s plus three years experience in applied plant breeding or closely related field.
  • Proficient in operation and knowledge of farm equipment (safely operate 65+ hp tractors, planters, cultivator, sprayers, and harvesters; safely load/transport/unload equipment using heavy-duty pickups and trailers; routine equipment maintenance and minor repairs).
  • Computer literacy, including experience in relational database and spreadsheet software, statistical analyses (SAS, R or related software), and experimental design.
  • Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions during the field growing season (spring, summer, fall).
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs.
  • Excellent oral and written English communication skills and the ability to work. collaboratively as an interdisciplinary research team member.
  • Excellent work ethic, problem solving, organizational and leadership skills, passionate learner, with a desire to be innovative.
  • Valid US driver's license.
  • Must be comfortable with the handling of some hazardous chemicals.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • M.S. degree in plant breeding, genetics, agronomy, horticulture or closely related field.
  • Experience in scientific research, preferable in potato breeding, genetics, or plant pathological techniques.
  • Experience in marker-based analyses and genomic data management.
  • Greenhouse production experience, including micropropagation.
  • Farm background or relevant farming experience in mechanized agriculture.
  • Certified Pesticide Applicator License.
  • Ability to work independently with graduate students and hourly undergraduate students.

Physical Demands:

Operate and transport small to large-sized tractors, cultivators, harvesters, and implements, trucks, trailers and plot sprayers. Physically able to perform field research, keeling, lifting up to 50 lbs bags.

Applicant Materials Required:

Applicants must submit: 1) a cover letter discussing how the stated qualifications are met; 2) a detailed resume; 3) contact information (i.e., names, phone numbers, institutional addresses, and email addresses) 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.

Land Acknowledgement

We collectively acknowledge that we gather at NDSU, a land grant institution, on the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda) and Anishinaabe Peoples in addition to many diverse Indigenous Peoples still connected to these lands. We honor with gratitude Mother Earth and the Indigenous Peoples who have walked with her throughout generations. We will continue to learn how to live in unity with Mother Earth and build strong, mutually beneficial, trusting relationships with Indigenous Peoples of our region.

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.

Company

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities.

North Dakota State University is an employer of choice with a commitment to offer a well-rounded benefits package for employees and their families.

NDSU is listed at 95 among 404 public universities based on the university’s research expenditures reported to the National Science Foundation. In addition, NDSU is listed in the National Science Foundation’s top 100 in several areas, including: agricultural sciences; business management and business; communications; materials science; natural resources and conservation science; social sciences; sociology, demography, and population studies; and visual and performing arts.

Company info
Website
Location
1340 Administration Ave.
Fargo
ND
58102
United States

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