Supervisor, Lab
- 504132
- Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
- Staff
- Staff Full-time
- Closing at: Oct 23 2026 - 23:55 MDT
Department Contact: Israel Joukhadar, 575-646-5280, icalsoya@nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Advertising Summary: The Plant and Environmental Sciences Department at New Mexico State University is seeking a Supervisor, Laboratory to provide technical and operational support for laboratory, greenhouse, and field research activities across multiple funded research projects. The position oversees day-to-day research operations, including equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, greenhouse and irrigation systems, laboratory instrumentation, field activities, and research site coordination.
Position Details
Position Title: Supervisor, Lab
College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col
Department: 301400-PLANT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Location: Las Cruces
Offsite Location (if applicable):
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
If Not a Standard Work Schedule:
Job Duties and Responsibilities: ****THIS IS A 3 YEAR APPOINTMENT****
Provides essential technical and operational support for research activities, including equipment maintenance, laboratory and field operations, supply management, and coordination of research-related activities across multiple funded projects.
Performs preventive maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair coordination for greenhouse environmental control systems, Dosatron fertigation injectors, irrigation systems, field sensor arrays, and laboratory analytical instrumentation. Ensures equipment is properly maintained and operational to support the continuity and quality of research activities.
Schedules, trains, and directs the daily work of graduate and undergraduate student employees assigned to multiple funded research projects. Provides safety, equipment, and operational training; monitors compliance with established research protocols and safety procedures; reviews and verifies timesheets; and serves as the first-line point of contact for personnel, scheduling, and day-to-day operational issues.
Manages procurement, receiving, storage, and inventory of fertilizers, growing media, plant protection products, laboratory reagents, and field consumables. Maintains adequate inventory levels and coordinates the timely acquisition and distribution of supplies necessary to support ongoing research activities.
Implements and documents integrated pest management rotations, fertigation programs, and irrigation schedules. Coordinates plot preparation, planting, maintenance, and harvest activities across multiple research sites. Monitors crop and plant conditions, identifies potential issues, and takes or coordinates corrective action to minimize impacts to research trials.
Maintains accurate and comprehensive pesticide application, chemical inventory, safety, equipment, and research-related records. Ensures documentation and operational practices comply with applicable University policies and procedures, as well as state and federal laws and regulatory requirements. Supports required reporting, recordkeeping, and compliance activities associated with laboratory, greenhouse, and field research operations.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.
Equivalent Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Requires knowledge of greenhouse and controlled environment and open field production, fertilizer chemistry and fertigation injector operation, integrated pest management and pesticide regulations, field plot research procedures, laboratory and chemical safety standards
Special Certification/Licensure:
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
Environment: Work is normally performed indoors.
Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.
Recruitment Summary
We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.
NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.
NMSU Global Campus
Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.
NMSU Main Campus
Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.
Doña Ana Community College
Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.
Alamogordo Campus
Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.
Grants Campus
NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.
Special Instructions to Applicants
The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.
EEO Statement
New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Requesting an Accommodation
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request
