Faculty Research Assistant: Assistant Potato Breeder

OSU Rec Sports - Sport. Leadership. Wellness.•Hermiston, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position supporting Oregon State University’s Potato Breeding and Variety Development Program. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head. Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, training, and experience. The Assistant Potato Breeder conducts greenhouse and field trials, performs crosses, and evaluates experimental clones. The position also supports preparation of reports and grants and assists with extension events. The role involves travel to other experimental stations, providing day-to-day direction to temporary employees, and interacting with growers, industry partners, and scientific audiences. The incumbent may prepare and present research materials or findings at professional meetings or in professional journals. Driving a station vehicle to various field sites is required. Work takes place in field, greenhouse, laboratory, and office settings. Schedules can vary significantly with seasonal needs; work outside an 8 a.m.–5 p.m. schedule is not uncommon, particularly during spring planting and fall harvest. Field and greenhouse work may involve temperature extremes and dusty, allergen-laden conditions. The position includes hard physical activity, including lifting, pushing, and pulling objects weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally more. Duties may involve operating university vehicles and equipment, entering restricted areas, and applying agricultural chemicals. Respirators, dust masks, and other protective equipment are used as necessary. This is an essential position, and the incumbent is expected to report to work during inclement weather, emergencies, and other university work curtailments or closures.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Horticulture, or a related field; alternatively, a Bachelor of Science degree in an unrelated field and seven years of experience gathering, analyzing, and reporting data in field crop research.
Experience operating farm or research-scale equipment.
Experience working with horticultural crops.
Experience in commercial or research field crop management.
Experience using computer spreadsheet and word processing programs.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally more.
Must possess or be able to obtain an Oregon Public Applicator’s License and demonstration/research pesticide applicator’s license within three months of employment and maintain them throughout employment.
Must possess or be able to obtain a farm endorsement within six months of employment and maintain it throughout employment.
Must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined position-qualified.
Must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, hold and maintain a current valid driver’s license in the state of residence, be determined position-qualified, and self-report convictions as required by university policy.

Nice To Haves

Experience in potato or plant breeding.
Experience in potato or vegetable production.
Experience in molecular breeding and use of statistical and genetic tools.
Experience towing trailers and hauling equipment.
Experience managing field crop production and research.
Experience with field research techniques, including plot design, maintenance and evaluation of field plots, seed processing, data collection and analysis, and library research.

Responsibilities

Conduct field experiments and greenhouse research supporting the Potato Breeding and Variety Development Program.
Perform crosses and evaluate experimental potato clones.
Provide day-to-day direction to temporary employees during the season.
Assist with preparation of reports and grants.
Collect, analyze, and report research data and contribute to publications.
Assist with extension events, community service, and outreach.
Interact with growers, industry partners, and scientific audiences.
Prepare and present research materials or findings at professional meetings or in professional journals.
Travel to other experimental stations and drive a station vehicle to field sites.
Perform agricultural chemical applications, including fungicide, herbicide, and pesticide applications.