Scientific Assistant – Small Fruit Breeding

Washington State University • Puyallup, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State University (WSU) Small Fruit Plant Breeding program develops strawberry and raspberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest and with excellent fruit quality for processed and fresh applications. Additionally, the program studies cultivars, selections, and germplasm for traits of interest. This position manages specialized research operations in laboratory, greenhouse, and field activities related to propagation and botanical evaluation of research plants and fruit. The Small Fruit Breeding program conducts horticultural research at the facilities at the Puyallup Research and Extension Center, the Northwestern Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon, and on cooperating farms in western Washington and Oregon. Our program collaborates with farms and research professionals in the region as well as nationally and internationally to develop knowledge and plant resources for excellent small fruit production. As the Scientific Assistant at WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center (PREC) within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, you will manage laboratory and greenhouse research operations for the Small Fruit Plant Breeding program. You will apply your skills in experimental design, plant sciences, laboratory procedures, greenhouse culture, and planning to ensure rigorous and effective laboratory and greenhouse research activities. Additionally, you will support the plant breeding team personnel in reporting and field work, as well as the larger research and extension community of PREC. This position involves managing complex assignments and projects that require practical knowledge of small fruit horticulture and university policies and procedures. As part of the Small Fruit Plant Breeding program, you will be responsible for designing crop research trials, compiling evaluation data, propagating research plants through tissue culture and greenhouse facilities, and supervising temporary employees on research projects. You will consult with the Program Lead and many collaborators on a wide range of research topics and procedural needs to accomplish project objectives.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience.
• Demonstrated experience with perennial berry crop production systems.
• Demonstrated skill with plant tissue culture.
• Experience with greenhouse production and research.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and oral/written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, co-workers and constituents.

Nice To Haves

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in plant research.
• Advanced degree in plant science or closely related field of study.
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Pesticide Applicator’s License.
• Working knowledge of statistical, query based, or data management software (e.g. SAS, R).
• Skill in effectively organizing and prioritizing multiple assignments.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and to travel within Washington and Oregon as needed.

Responsibilities

• Manages laboratory and greenhouse research operations for the Small Fruit Plant Breeding program.
• Applies skills in experimental design, plant sciences, laboratory procedures, greenhouse culture, and planning to ensure rigorous and effective laboratory and greenhouse research activities.
• Supports the plant breeding team personnel in reporting and field work, as well as the larger research and extension community of PREC.
• Designs crop research trials.
• Compiles evaluation data.
• Propagates research plants through tissue culture and greenhouse facilities.
• Supervises temporary employees on research projects.
• Consults with the Program Lead and collaborators on research topics and procedural needs.

Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Paid holidays
• Medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• Retirement
• Deferred compensation
• Optional supplemental retirement accounts
• Training and development
• Employee tuition waiver

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees