Research Associate Specialist

Louisiana State University • Madison, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Work Location: School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory, 128 Sturgis Hall, Baton Rouge LA, 70803. Position Description: T he individual will be expected to perform a variety of duties as a research associate specialist in the Soil Testing and Plant Analysis Laboratory. These duties include supervision of student employees; conducting basic science laboratory techniques including preparing, extracting, digesting, washing, and testing of samples; utilizing a laboratory information management system to enter, manage, and report sample data; perform sample analysis using various equipment including but not limited to ICP-OES, C/N analyzers, automatic plant digestion units, discrete analyzers, automatic titrators, and pH robots. This includes the standard operation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation. In addition to laboratory duties, the individual will be expected to answer phones, contact laboratory clients, interact with the general public, and perform any additional duties as required by the laboratory.

Requirements

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in soil science, crop science, agronomy, horticulture, biology, chemistry or related field is required.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience with soil and plant testing procedures as well as advanced instrumentation and software experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervision of student employees
• Conducting basic science laboratory techniques including preparing, extracting, digesting, washing, and testing of samples
• Utilizing a laboratory information management system to enter, manage, and report sample data
• Perform sample analysis using various equipment including but not limited to ICP-OES, C/N analyzers, automatic plant digestion units, discrete analyzers, automatic titrators, and pH robots. This includes the standard operation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation.
• Answer phones
• Contact laboratory clients
• Interact with the general public
• Perform any additional duties as required by the laboratory

Benefits

• Retirement
• Multiple medical insurance options
• Supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care, etc.)
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses)
• University holidays (14 per year, typically includes a week off at Christmas)
• Generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees