| Job Description: | Managing Field, Greenhouse, and Laboratory Research Operations
Supervises and/or assists graduate students, postdoctoral associates, visiting scientists, undergraduate researchers, OPS research assistants, and work study personnel in laboratory safety and greenhouse and field operation protocols. Independently modifies laboratory procedures and techniques to improve quality control in the laboratory. Assists with training of personnel in proper laboratory operations and research procedures. Assists in training on proper use of laboratory equipment. Organizes, maintains, and updates inventory for field, greenhouse, and laboratory supplies and equipment. Provides assistance to managing the teaching garden plots and storage cage used in course instruction by supervisor. Field, Greenhouse, Laboratory Research
In collaboration with supervisor, conceives, designs, and executes vegetable production (both open field and protected systems), disease management, nutrient and water management, soil management, and plant nutrition and physiology experiments in the field, greenhouse, and laboratory. Experiments may involve developing field maps of research trials, setting up experimental treatments, plant disease assessment, plant growth and yield components measurements, soil and plant tissue sampling, reagent preparation and chemical extraction for soil and plant nutrient analysis, instrumental and sensory evaluation of quality attributes of vegetables, programming and installation of sensors and dataloggers for collecting environmental data, care and maintenance of plants, and plant and soil sample preparation, etc. Modifies methods/techniques from the literature to fit current research projects. Drives to research sites to perform field studies. Reporting and Program Maintenance
Institutes a computer system to record raw data onto computer generated data record sheets. Designs file systems for entering data into computer files. Uses computer spreadsheets and statistical packages to statistically analyze, interpret, and summarize all data. Tabulates and summarizes data in appropriate format for various publications. Updates computer software, file systems, and analyses packages as needed to manage data. Prepares written reports of research as well as slides and visual materials for research and demonstration presentations. Maintains equipment operation and assigned state vehicles. Orders research materials and reagents. Performs university-mandated surveys and paperwork. Monitors and supervises safety compliance, and other organizational duties. |
| Preferred Qualifications: | - At least one year experience in vegetable crop production.
- A master’s degree in horticultural science, plant science, soil science, biology, or a closely related field and at least one year of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization such as horticultural science, plant science, soil science, biology, or a closely related field and at least three years of relevant experience.
- Basic laboratory skills for conducting research work.
- Demonstrated ability to collect, record, and analyze scientific data relating to the biological sciences.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct biological research studies and analyses using scientific methods and techniques.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Willingness to work long hours in the field in sub-tropical Florida environment.
- A good team player with a strong work ethic and good communication skills.
|
