Research Scientist

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Why Choose Us?

At the University of Wyoming, we value our employees and invest in their success.  Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.  Benefits include:

• Generous Retirement Contributions: The State contributes 14.94% of your gross salary, and you contribute 3.68%, totaling 18.62% toward your retirement plan.
• Exceptional Health & Prescription Coverage: Enjoy access to medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions, that include 4 deductible options to suit your needs.
• Paid Time Off: Benefit from ample vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure.
• Tuition Waiver: Employees and eligible dependents can take advantage of tuition waivers, supporting continuous education and professional growth.
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs: Stay healthy with wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources.

At the University of Wyoming, we’re committed to creating a supportive and enriching workplace. To learn more about what we offer, please refer to UW’s Benefits Summary.

JOB TITLE:   

Research Scientist Assistant

JOB PURPOSE:     

Research Scientists are academic professionals whose primary responsibilities are to conduct and support research. UW Regulation 2-7 describes the activities that fall into this set of responsibilities for faculty; the same definition of research applies to Academic Professionals.

The successful Research Scientist will support a wide variety of agricultural research projects at the Powell Research and Extension Center (PREC), located in Powell, WY, as well as surrounding areas within the Big Horn Basin agricultural region.  The incumbent will participate in designing, implementing, monitoring, and interpreting research studies across a wide range of agronomic subjects including, but not limited to, weed science, plant breeding, and plant pathology.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Work with PIs, graduate students, industry partners, and the PREC faculty and staff to help plan, implement, monitor, collect data for, interpret and harvest field research studies in plant science.
• Act as liaison to facilitate cooperation and communication between off-campus faculty, students, and industry groups executing research activities at the PREC and the PREC farm crew.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data for reporting and subsequent investigations.
• Help prepare reports, presentations, and other research outputs and present data to relevant stakeholders.
• Perform or supervise experiments to ensure safety, efficiency, and adherence to quality control standards.
• Work closely with the PREC Director to ensure that research activities are being performed with scientific rigor and efficiency.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Travel for additional learning opportunities to assist in designing, performing, and presenting research results and learning new methodologies.
• Work cooperatively with station personnel, with a variety of agricultural-based tasks and responsibilities, including the application of pesticides.
• Opportunity to mentor junior graduate students and interns.
• Understand the operation and limitations of PREC field research equipment and operate equipment when needed.
• Allocation of effort may be revised during the term of employment depending on funding priorities and farm workload.

COMPETENCIES:  

• Attention to detail
• Highly organized with the ability to efficiently prioritize competing tasks
• Strong communicator across several levels of organization
• Collaborative
• Independence in problem solving
• Curiosity and inquisitiveness

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Master’s degree in plant sciences, weed science, plant pathology, plant breeding or genetics, or a closely-related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills including communicating/translating technical information for nontechnical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Evidence of strong interpersonal/relational skills.
• Demonstrated experience presenting scientific research through published articles, presentations, and other outputs.
• Valid driver's license with a motor vehicle record (MVR) compliant with the University Vehicle Use Policy. 
• A current Wyoming Pesticide Applicator’s License or ability to obtain one within one year of hire

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Experience with field, greenhouse, and laboratory research projects.
• Ability to train and mentor undergraduate students and interns.
• Previous experience managing large, complex research projects.
• Experience in developing proposals and procuring funding for research.
• Experience in successfully leading, monitoring, and supervising a team.
• Experience working with a diverse set of crops or plant species and production systems.
• Experience carrying out plant molecular biology experiments is a plus. This includes plant sampling, DNA/RNA extraction, and PCR/qPCR.
• Experience working with statistical programming software or the ability to independently analyze data.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS: 

Complete the online application. The department additionally requests candidates upload the following document(s) for a complete application:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume or C.V.
3. Contact information for four work-related references (references will only be contacted if you are selected as a finalist for the position).

This position will remain open until filled. Complete applications received by 10/1/2025 will receive full consideration. 

**Due to a current system limitation, you may only be prompted to upload your resume/CV and a Cover Letter.  To ensure your application is complete, we recommend you put all of your application materials into one file with your cover letter.  However, if you're experiencing any issues in doing so, please send any additional application materials to [email protected], and a recruiter will manually add them to your application packet. To help us process your application more efficiently, please include the 6-digit job ID number (located at the bottom of the job posting) in your email.

WORK LOCATION: 

On-campus: This position provides vital support to campus customers, and the successful candidate must be available to work at the Powell Research and Extension Center (PREC), located in Powell, WY, as well as surrounding areas within the Big Horn Basin agricultural region.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: 

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the United States. Sponsorship for H-1B work authorization or work visa is not available for this position.

HIRING STATEMENT/EEO:  

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please contact us at 307-766-2377 or email [email protected]. 

ABOUT POWELL:

Posted Salary Range: $64,008