Plant Breeding Research Assistant - Wheat (M/F)

Job description

Position description

Function

RESEARCH & INNOVATION - BREEDING

Employment Type

Regular Full Time

Main Goal

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
This is a full-time regular Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS) position supporting the wheat breeding program based in Walla Walla, WA. The incumbent has primary responsibility for managing field breeding and agronomic trials in a trialing network that extends throughout the Pacific Northwest wheat region

SUMMARY:
Assist the wheat breeding program by conducting field and agronomic trials, including planting, plot maintenance, application of pesticides and fertilizers, harvest, grain sampling, and data collection. Conduct field agronomic studies and disease screening to characterize response of breeding materials. Contribute to seed and plant analyses, crossing, and evaluations in greenhouse and growth facilities. Safely operate and maintain field and small plot equipment. The successful candidate will work closely with local staff in day-to-day operations and train and supervise temporary employees. The candidate will interact and collaborate with company staff, lab managers, product development specialists, sales representatives, contractors, growers, and researchers involved in co-development efforts.
Location of position: Walla Walla, WA.

Job description

Primary responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to:
•Responsible for field operations and conduct of breeding trials, including:
oTrial network of off-station sites, contract and collaborative nurseries
oPlanting, field and plot maintenance, application of fertilizer and pesticides, harvest, seed sampling
oSafely operate and maintain small-plot equipment, including planters, sprayers, combines, etc.
oUse GPS for field operations, tablets and other data collection devices and software
•Assist in seed and trial preparations and data collection, including:
oSeed cleaning, treatment, packaging, and organize for planting
oPrepare trial designs, planting plans, and print labels and signs
oConduct and coordinate note-taking for agronomic traits, diseases and response to stress
oEnter, manage and summarize data using proprietary database and software
•Conduct agronomic, management, and screening trials
oEvaluate genetic performance under different crop management strategies and practices
oDevelop field and lab screening protocols to evaluate response to disease
oMaintain pesticide and fertilizer records and soil tests
oConduct drone flights to obtain plot imaged and analyses
•Assist in crossing, plant sampling, plant production and harvest in greenhouse and growth facilities
•Coordinate and manage maintenance, service, and repair of equipment
oIncluding small combines, threshers, and planters. Responsible for managing inventory of general supplies and small equipment.
Responsible for general organization and up-keep of station facilities.
•Interact and collaborate with other LCS and Limagrain breeding teams, and with researchers involved in co-development efforts
oInteract and collaborate with laboratories and lab managers in sampling, project submission, result tracking and data entry; Interact with basic seed manager, foundation seed manager in parent seed production and seed quality assurance;
oCoordinate and instruct activities/responsibilities of 5 to 15 seasonal and hourly employees as needed
•Due to the small size of the Research team, incumbent will personally and practically participate in most all tasks conducted at the station.

Profile

Required knowledge & Skills
• Detail oriented with good organizational skills
• Candidate should possess good interpersonal skills, effective oral and written communication skills, a working knowledge in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access;
• A demonstrated ability to work independently and with others;
• A demonstrated ability and willingness to participate in all LCS-PNW wheat breeding program duties
• Have, or be able to obtain, a commercial driver's license
• Have or be able to obtain, Qualified Supervisor level pesticide applicators license (General, R&D, Weed Management, Seed Treatment, Plants, Insects):
• Have, or be able to obtain, permit to operate an aerial drone
• The ability to travel domestically and internationally;
• Ability to work extended hours under variable environmental and ergonomic conditions associated with planting, harvesting, and note taking.

Education & work experience required:
• Position requires a minimum BS in horticulture, agriculture or a related discipline and/or 1-3 years of equivalent job experience. Experience and basic skills in safe operation and handling of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and protocols
• Experience in commercial or research field crop management and operation of farm or research-scale equipment is required. Experience with cereals production and the cereal seed industry desired.
• Experience with field research techniques including plot design, maintenance and evaluation of field plots, seed processing, data collection and analysis is desired.

Physical Demands of the Essential Duties:
• Candidate is required to stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee is required to use hands to feel objects, tools, and controls. The employee is required to sit, stand, bend, climb, and kneel
• The employee must be able to lift/move up to 20 pounds, and occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds
• The employee must be able to see for precise tasks such as plant sampling, plant emasculation and crossing, as well as skills required for evaluation of disease and insect responses

Position localization

Job location

America/Carribean, USA, Washington

Location

walla walla

Candidate criteria

Minimum level of experience required

1 year