Research Technologist II

We will be hiring a research technician for one year for an investigation of bird and insect damage and management in high-density fruit crops. Please see posting at link below. Thank you.

https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/513818/research-technologist-ii

Position Summary

The successful applicant will work as a member of a team including professors, extension personnel, and field assistants. This is a multifaceted position that includes field work, supervision of field assistants, and data analysis/management responsibilities. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and willingness to work outside for long periods of time are important. Field activities include plot layout, insect and bird damage sampling, conducting and managing a field experiment, and caring for supplies and the field vehicle. Other activities include coordination of field activities, data management and analysis, and communicating with project leads, fruit growers, field assistants, and administrative personnel. Additional duties include purchasing supplies and keeping track of receipts related to travel and other expenses. Position involves regular overnight stays to field sites in Michigan.

Applicants should have a four-year degree in Ecology, Agronomy, Crop and Soil Sciences, or related science field; data management and analysis skills with widely used software programs; driver’s license with ability to drive 4WD vehicle. Applicants should be able to carry rolls of netting weighing approximately 3-40 lbs. from ground, waist and chest to above for short distances. Applicants should be able to climb a ladder with a maximum of ten feet to place netting over crops. Preferred qualifications include master’s degree in one of the fields above, experience conducting field studies in agricultural settings, experience identifying Michigan birds and/or insect pests on crops, ability to conduct statistical analyses with JMP and/or R software programs, one or more years of related work experience conducting and managing field research projects.

40 hours per week. Start and end times vary; for example, days with bird sampling will require early starts.

Contact Catherine Lindell at lindellc@msu.edu for additional information.