Research Support Staff (0097729T & 0097730T; CTAHR/ADSC)

University of Hawaii•Honolulu, HI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center, is hiring Research Support Staff for temporary, full-time, 11-month positions. The work supports agricultural research trials evaluating crop performance, nutrient use efficiency, and pest and disease management in hydroponic and aquaponic growing systems under greenhouse, screenhouse, and field conditions. Research sites may be located in various geographical areas and require monitoring outside normal business hours. Renewal is subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance, and staffing and funding needs. The role coordinates trial logistics and technical operations, collects and records environmental, soil, water, and plant data, and prepares samples for laboratory analysis. It also supports facility and equipment maintenance, automated irrigation and environmental-control systems, safety and compliance, procurement, research documentation, and student learning activities.

Requirements

Baccalaureate degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Soil Science, Biological Sciences, or a related field, with no required years of professional experience; an equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience may qualify.
Functional knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in research support, data collection, and reporting, including the ability to apply relevant concepts and terminology.
Functional knowledge and understanding of principles, theories, laws, rules, regulations, and systems associated with research support, data collection, and reporting.
Ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes, and resolve common problems in research support, data collection, and reporting.
Ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in varied situations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with organizations, groups, team members, and individuals.
Ability to operate a personal computer and use word-processing software and agricultural research, environmental management, and/or program management software.
Active listening skills; ability to work independently across multiple locations and adapt to changing research and operational needs.
Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. This may be met with a valid Hawaii class 3 driver’s license, a comparable driver’s license, or another means of transportation that meets position needs.
Ability to work outside normal business hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed.
Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move supplies and equipment up to 40 pounds, with or without assistance or appropriate methods such as carts, dollies, or team lifts.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting agricultural research operations, field-trial logistics, greenhouse operations, or biological research data collection, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Working knowledge of technical methods in agronomy, horticulture, and/or soil science, including controlled-environment facilities, standard pest and/or disease identification, and scientific data logging and/or record-keeping procedures.
Ability to coordinate technical field research tasks and maintain accurate data logs.
Ability to operate and program automated environmental or irrigation systems.
Ability to enforce safety protocols for chemical application and facility operation.

Responsibilities

Coordinate technical logistics for research trials evaluating crop performance, nutrient use efficiency, and pest and disease management in hydroponic and aquaponic systems.
Oversee scientific data logging systems and collect environmental parameters, soil metrics, water quality data, and plant growth measurements using scientific field instruments.
Coordinate the collection, cataloging, and preparation of soil, plant tissue, water, insect, and microorganism samples for laboratory processing.
Conduct technical field evaluations to monitor pest and disease incidence and report crop physiological conditions to research project leads.
Enter trial parameters, field mapping coordinates, and observation data into research databases and web-based decision tools.
Oversee daily technical operations and environmental schedules for research greenhouses, shade houses, hydroponic units, and field plots, including monitoring outside normal business hours as needed.
Program, troubleshoot, and calibrate automated irrigation networks, environmental-control computers, and specialized research facility equipment.
Coordinate research plot layouts, treatment application timing, and technical equipment setup.
Inspect research facilities, automated environmental controls, and field instrumentation; perform specialized technical maintenance and schedule major repairs.
Maintain operational logs, chemical and pesticide application records, inventory records, and facility-use schedules.
Manage procurement logistics for research supplies, fertilizers, field tools, and safety gear.
Monitor field and facility compliance with state, federal, and University environmental health, safety, and worker protection standards.
Assist research personnel with trial summary tables, field demonstration plot layouts, and technical documentation.
Transport equipment and materials for research.
Work with and support high school, undergraduate, and graduate students participating in internships and hands-on learning activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.