Research Technician - Entry Level

A. Duda & Sons • Salinas, CA

3d

About The Position

Duda Farm Fresh Foods is seeking a motivated Entry-Level Research Technician to join our dynamic Research and Development team in Salinas, CA. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a sophisticated and large-scale celery breeding program, while also providing technical support to both the celery and radish breeding initiatives. This position is responsible for assisting in all technical aspects of the breeding programs, including, but not limited to, assisting with the filling of trial seed packets, sowing seed in the greenhouses and cages, planting selections from the breeding programs, performing hand pollinations for the radish breeding program, monitoring the greenhouse and cages in the greenhouse yard and Island for any plant health issues and communicating any issues to a supervisor, harvesting seed from selections and research cages, cleaning research seed, conducting germination tests, and any other day to day activities warranted by the breeding programs. This position reports to Assistant Manager, Seed Operations and is located in Salinas, California.

Requirements

• High School diploma required
• Valid CA driver's license
• 1+ year of greenhouse or seed company working experience preferred
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel preferred
• Works well on own and in a team environment.
• Must be willing to work outside of normal business hours (8:00AM-5:00PM) and weekends when necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Agriculture or demonstrated interest in agriculture preferred
• Bilingual preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring the greenhouse and cages in the greenhouse yard and Island for any plant health issues and communicating any issues to a supervisor.
• Harvesting and cleaning seed from selections and research cages.
• Conducting germination tests and accurately recording the results.
• Sowing seed in the greenhouses and cages, planting selections from the breeding programs, and performing hand pollinations for the radish breeding program.
• Assist with the packaging of trial seed.
• Evaluate seed crops to ensure purity and trueness to variety with a priority on hybrids but inclusive of OP's (especially the male parents).
• Work with the team to ensure protocols are maintained and/or improve purity and seed quality.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401K
• flexible spending accounts
• tuition reimbursement program
• paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees