Research Technician

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Job Title:

Research Technician

Department:

FAES | Horticulture and Crop Science

This is a term, grant-funded position with continuation contingent upon availability of funds.

The Research Technician 3 provides advanced research support in the Sustainable Agroecosystems (SAS) Lab, with primary responsibility for day-to-day laboratory operations supporting forage, grazing-systems, and environmental-impact research. Core work is independent, detail-oriented lab management: sample organization and labeling, analytical procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, data quality control, and inventory.

The technician also helps lead the Lab’s earnings-account forage-quality and greenhouse-gas services, including reports, invoices, and collaborator communication. The role includes fieldwork, livestock handling as required, sample collection in pastures and plots, and travel to research stations (~100-mile round trips) during peak seasons.

The Lab values ownership, teamwork, and shared problem-solving.

Primary Duties:

• Independently organize, label, track, and process laboratory samples (forage, soil, greenhouse-gas, and related matrices)
• Perform, quality-check, and help refine analyses (including NIRS, gas chromatography, and related protocols); maintain equipment; train others on methods.
• Manage inventory, supplies, sample storage, and data organization; prepare reports and invoices for commercial analyses; communicate with service users.
• Train and oversee student research assistants on lab and field protocols and safety.
• Support and, as assigned, lead field data collection, including livestock handling, plot/pasture sampling, coordination with research station staff, and field equipment use under demanding conditions.
• Assist with data formatting, manuscripts, extension materials, and other project needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural, Soil, Animal, Horticulture, Crop, or Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field; 4 years of relevant experience required with High School diploma or GED, 2 years of relevant experience required with Associate's Degree, or 0 years of relevant experience required with Bachelor's Degree.

Required Qualifications:

• 2–3 years of relevant research experience (graduate research counts), with lab experience in sample processing, labeling, analytical procedures, and/or research instrumentation.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow, document, and improve multi-step protocols.

• Experience working independently and coordinating with students, station staff, or collaborators

• Ability and willingness to do physically demanding fieldwork, including livestock handling as needed, variable weather, and long field days.

• Valid Ohio driver’s license (or ability to obtain one); availability for ~100-mile round trips during peak field periods (May–November).

• Collaborative work style: ownership, clear communication, and support for teammates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.

• Experience with NIRS, GC, GHG measurements, soil/plant tissue analysis, or similar methods (Lab-specific training provided).

• Experience supervising or mentoring students; teaching or Extension experience a plus.

• Familiarity with Excel, R, or similar tools, and with agricultural outreach or stakeholder communication.

• Background in forage/grazing systems, integrated crop-livestock systems, specialty/emerging crops, or environmental assessments in agriculture.

• Experience balancing lab precision work with multi-site field duties

Additional Information:

This job profile is a Research Technician 3 (T3 level) on the career roadmap.

The offer for this position will fall within the positions pay range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications

Location:

Kottman Hall (0340)

Position Type:

Term (Fixed Term)

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

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