Position Title: Research Asst,Sr

Employee Classification: Research Asst,Sr

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317600-AG SCIENCE CTR AT CLOVIS

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: NMSU satellite location

Offsite Location (if applicable): Ag Science Center in Clovis, NM

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  43,908.80 Commensurate with experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  The Agricultural Science Center in Clovis invites you to apply for the position of Research Asst, Sr. The vision of the center is to advance climate-resilient agriculture in semi-arid agricultural systems.

Classification Summary:
Performs senior-level professional research in support of a major research project. Acts as a project leader in directing and coordinating other research assistants and technicians. Supervises data collection, evaluation, and analysis. Assists faculty researchers or acts independently in the design of research projects, the development of methods and procedures, the preparation of research proposals, and the writing of research findings. Reports to faculty researcher or principal investigator.

Classification Standard Duties:
Acts as a project leader and directs the collection, processes, and assists in the compilation and verification of research data, samples, and/or specimens, following strict protocol and detailed instructions. Performs or assists with the execution of routine research protocol, such as interviewing, testing, and/or scientific procedures. Uses specialized analytical equipment, instrumentation, and/or statistical software, as specifically assigned, to assist with routine data analysis and interpretation, as appropriate to the position. Assists in the setup, operation, and maintenance of research equipment, instrumentation, and/or facilities, as specifically instructed. May travel to field research sites or other locations to collect and record data and/or samples, as appropriate to established study objectives and protocols. Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience:Five (5) years of professional experience related to the standard duties as outlined.; Equivalency:None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge of research methods, laboratory procedures, terminology specific to the research field.; SKILLS:Skill in the use of computerized systems and databases.; ABILITIES:Ability to understand and follow basic scientific research protocol and procedure. Ability to understand and follow complex, detailed technical instructions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
-Conduct laboratory, greenhouse, and field research on peanut plant breeding and molecular analysis.
-Perform crossing in the greenhouse, conduct multi-location field trials on the grower’s field, and research locations in eastern New Mexico, West Texas, and Oklahoma regions where Valencia peanuts are grown.
-Travel to winter nurseries to plant and harvest F1 materials.
- Field planting and harvesting breeding materials across all locations where peanuts are planted.
- Grading of peanut samples.
- Arranging seed packets, treating seeds with fungicide, and arranging them for planting.
- Disease rating in the field.
- Conduct greenhouse disease studies using artificial inoculation.
- Collect physiological measurements relating to drought.
- Collect leaf samples for DNA and RNA extraction.
- Media preparation; isolation, maintenance, and identification of fungus for stem rot, pod rot and leaf spot diseases.
- Data collection and statistical analysis of the field data.
- Maintain field records pertaining to crosses, mapping population, and field studies across locations.
- Writing annual reports., and help in manuscript preparation.
- Supervision of student employees.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s in Plant Breeding and Genetics or Molecular Biology.

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Rebecca Martinez, 575-646-3125, rbanegas@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Shift: Other Shift

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am-4:00pm

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Moderate physical activity.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.