Job Information
Washington State University Scientific Assistant - Open Rank in Pullman, Washington
Scientific Assistant - Open Rank
Available Title(s):
1160-NNADMINPRO - Scientific Assistant Senior, 1161-NNADMINPRO - Scientific Assistant, 1161-YN_ADMINPRO - Scientific Assistant
Business Title:
Scientific Assistant - Open Rank
Employee Type:
Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)
Time Type:
Full time
Position Term:
Position Details:
The Opportunity:
The WSU Winter Wheat Breeding program, under the direction of Dr. Arron Carter, is seeking applications for a field technician to support the efforts of the breeding program. This position reports directly to Dr. Carter. The field technician works with other technical staff within the program (field, greenhouse, and laboratory) to meet the objectives of developing new winter wheat cultivars for the state of Washington. This position works directly with one other field technician to manage the day-to-day operations of the field portion of the breeding program. Operations include planting, plot maintenance, spraying trials, data collection, and harvesting. Responsibilities also include uploading data into our database, analyzing data within the database, and designing new planting trials. Supervision of temporary summer personnel is required. This position is an exciting opportunity for individuals to assist with development of cultivars that directly impact wheat production in Washington.
Further questions about this position can be directed to Dr. Carter (mailto:ahcarter@wsu.edu).
Summary of Duties:
Assist in the coordination of field based research activities for the winter wheat breeding and genetics program, which includes, but is not limited to, data collection using traditional and molecular field breeding techniques, statistical analysis, experimental field design, field plot maintenance and data collection, pesticide application, and preparing results for publication. Duties include planting, maintaining, and harvesting plants grown under field conditions across the state of Washington and in collaboration with other breeding programs, general breeding methods (data collection, herbicide applications, maintenance of equipment, experimental design), spreadsheet management, ordering supplies, general equipment maintenance and supervision of temporary personnel.
Experimental Design and Execution | 60%
• Responsible for details in planning and execution of scientific experiments related to specialized breeding and genetics projects as well as cultivar development.
• Identify needs for advancement of novel techniques and procedures to meet research objectives.
• Design applied scientific experiments and interpret resulting data using advanced statistical designs and models, supervise graduate students and undergraduate students.
• Develop research objectives and projects, maintain research plots, and assist in cultivar development efforts.
• Maintenance of research plots involves driving tractors and other field equipment, planting, harvesting, and chemical applications.
• Assist collaborators, visiting scientists, and other constituents with research questions and problem solving.
• Improve efficacy of research methods regarding equipment, facilities and space availability. Perform related duties as required.
Data analysis and presentation | 25%
• Collect, analyze, interpret, present and publish research activities. Prepare project reports and summaries.
• Co-author pub