Research Technician II

Utah State University•Logan, UT

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Utah State University’s College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences seeks a Research Technician to support farm research and outreach activities. The role involves an annual average workload of about 30 hours per week (75% time), with a flexible schedule and heavier workloads during planting, early growth, and harvest periods. The technician will maintain and work with field research plots, collect and process research data and samples, manage greenhouse activities, and support farm outreach. The position also includes day-to-day management and training of student research assistants and practical assistance at the USU Student Organic Farm. An employer-provided vehicle with a manual transmission is available for work; occasional use of other reliable transportation may be needed, with mileage reimbursed. Work takes place outdoors on rough or uneven terrain and in a laboratory. The employee should be comfortable working independently and in teams, operating small tractors and other agricultural equipment, and performing general agricultural labor in potentially adverse weather, dust, and pollen. The work includes lifting bags of seed or fertilizer weighing up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

Two years of experience in a related field or an associate degree/vocational training.
Experience operating farm machinery and in weed control, fertility, and crop irrigation.
Experience maintaining field plots and collecting and processing data, or the ability to learn these tasks in field and laboratory settings.
Ability to assist with day-to-day training of undergraduate students.
Good personal and communication skills.
Ability to learn to correctly identify weed species.
Experience in farm management.
Self-motivated and reliable.
Ability to work outdoors in adverse weather and in laboratory settings.
Attention to detail.
Experience using basic computer programs to communicate and document research.
Comfort working alone as well as in teams.
Ability to operate small tractors and other agricultural equipment.
Ability to lift a 50-pound bag of seed or fertilizer and perform general agricultural labor, including navigating uneven terrain and tolerating extreme weather, dust, and pollen.

Nice To Haves

Experience in organic farming is preferred.
Experience in data collection, field plot maintenance, and operation of agricultural equipment is strongly preferred.
Interest and experience in organic and/or sustainable agriculture is desirable.
A bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agronomy, plant science, soil science, or another agricultural-related science is listed as required in the preferred qualifications.

Responsibilities

Seed, cultivate, irrigate, and maintain field research plots.
Collect data and process it in the field and laboratory.
Manage greenhouse activities.
Process and analyze soil and plant samples.
Enter and process data.
Assist with farm outreach activities.
Manage and train student research assistants in day-to-day activities.
Provide practical assistance to the USU Student Organic Farm.
Perform general agricultural labor, including operating small tractors and other agricultural equipment.