Agricultural/Food Scientist II

University of Florida•Jackson, FL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Agricultural/Food Scientist II is expected to analyze samples using various methods including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), gas chromatography (GC), starch and fiber (NDF/ADF), and other analyses related to feed, forage, ruminal fermentation parameters, and blood metabolites and hormones. This role involves providing results to faculty, making recommendations for analysis process modifications, and overseeing record-keeping and data accuracy. The position also offers technical assistance for research projects, including planning, conducting, and publishing. Responsibilities include maintaining safe lab practices, ensuring laboratory equipment is in good working order, acting as the lab safety officer, and training staff on safety requirements and equipment usage. Collaboration with Animal Science faculty is key for research and extension programs focused on beef cattle nutrition, production efficiency, management techniques, and health. This includes overseeing laboratory and field data collection and analysis for beef production research, and supervising the animal laboratory. The role involves training and assisting post-doctoral research associates, graduate and undergraduate students, supervising hourly labor, and collaborating with other scientists and faculty. Additionally, the position handles outside laboratory work, including scheduling, processing, record-keeping, generating statements, laboratory reports, and invoices. It also involves managing laboratory supplies inventory, appropriate disposal of hazardous materials, maintaining MSDS for EH&S inspections, and serving as the NFREC-Marianna safety officer. Support for the daily function of a sophisticated beef cattle feeding facility, including management of Vytelle Sense (formerly GrowSafe) and C-Lock Inc. Software systems and related equipment, is also required. Functions may vary from data management to feed procurement to animal handling, depending on the experiment. Periodic care of cannulated animals is also part of the role. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in agricultural science, biology, or a closely related field; or a master’s degree in agricultural science, biology, or a closely related field and one year of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science, biology, or a closely related field and three years of relevant experience.

Nice To Haves

Four-year college degree (B.S.) or MS Animal Sciences or a related field with experience or appropriate training in laboratory procedures (GLP) or 6-8 years equivalent training.
Cattle handling ability a plus but not required.
Willingness to learn and discover, and creativity will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

Analyze samples using ELISA, GC, starch and fiber (NDF/ADF), and other analyses related to feed, forage, ruminal fermentation parameters, and blood metabolites and hormones.
Provide results to faculty and make recommendations for modifying the analysis process.
Oversee processes for maintaining current and accurate records and data.
Provide technical assistance for planning, conducting, and publishing research projects.
Maintain safe lab practices and all laboratory equipment.
Function as lab safety officer and ensure staff are trained to adhere to safety requirements.
Teach incoming team members how to properly use equipment.
Collaborate with Animal Science faculty on data collection for research and extension programs on beef cattle nutrition, production efficiency, management techniques, and health.
Oversee all laboratory and field data collection and analyses of all beef production related research.
Provide oversight of the animal laboratory.
Train and assist post-doctoral research associates, graduate and undergraduate students with data collection and analyses.
Supervise hourly labor and collaborate with other scientists and faculty.
Receive, schedule, and process outside laboratory work timely and efficiently.
Maintain detailed records and generate statements, laboratory reports and invoices for analytical services.
Manage laboratory supplies inventory.
Dispose of hazardous material appropriately and maintain MSDS to meet University of Florida EH&S inspection requirements.
Serve as NFREC-Marianna safety officer.
Support daily function of sophisticated beef cattle feeding facility including management of Vytelle Sense (formerly GrowSafe) and C-Lock Inc. Software system and related equipment.
Perform functions ranging from data management to feed procurement to animal handling, depending on the experiment.
Provide periodic care of cannulated animals.
Perform other duties as assigned.