Job Description

Research Associate - Entomology and Plant Pathology

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applicant required documents: Please attach a resume/CV, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Posting Information

Posting Number PG193034EP

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title Research Associate - Entomology and Plant Pathology

Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with Experience

Work Schedule Monday - Friday / 8am - 5pm

Job Location

Department Entomology and Plant Pathology

About the Department

As part of the Land Grant University, the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology is composed of over 40 faculty that direct a diverse portfolio of programs in teaching, research, and extension components. Collectively, these strengths not only serve our clientele and our science, but also provide a rich environment for graduate education and training that can be tailored to the specific career interests of the student, irrespective of whether they prefer training in the basic sciences or are preparing for a career in extension. Our education and research programs provide graduate and undergraduate students with unique hands-on learning opportunities using the latest technologies.

The Micropropagation and Repository Unit in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is the National Clean Plant Network center that produces, maintains and distributes to stakeholders high quality, asexually propagated plant material of sweetpotato, berry crops and muscadine grapes that are free of targeted pathogens and pests that cause economic loss to protect the environment and ensure global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops producers.

The Reserach Associate will work under the general supervision of the MPRU Director on developing and improving greenhouse management practices to support the production of sweetpotato nuclear plants for distribution to North Carolina Sweetpotato Certified Seed Growers.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate greenhouse-related activities for multiple projects mainly for sweetpotato but other crops such as berries and muscadine grapes will be included.
• Participate in the development of project proposals, work plans, reports and possibly manuscripts, consult and provide expertise to the PI, as appropriate.
• Be responsible for sourcing, distributing, and coordinating all living plant material across all stakeholders and institutions.
• Conduct activities to establish new plants, maintain healthy plants; schedule and provide detailed forecasting of plant development to growers, implement, and improve Greenhouse Best Management Practices.
• Maintain active accession records of all plants; establish an integrated pest management program, quality control, and recognize areas for improvement and work with necessary personnel to implement these changes.
• Record details and results of greenhouse management, plant health, and plant production for delivery to stakeholders using a laboratory notebook and digital databases; and write summary reports.
• Have a strong knowledge of all facets of crop production in both field and greenhouse systems.
• Have a strong knowledge of greenhouse technology and environmental controls, and be able to diagnose and communicate any greenhouse issues with Facilities maintenance staff.
• Work duties will also include any combination of the following general greenhouse maintenance tasks: cleaning and disinfecting greenhouse surfaces; preparing potting soil; monitoring pest populations; restocking and maintaining supplies; autoclaving, and operating and maintaining specialized equipment.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive integrated pest management approach and train workers as needed.
• Track budget expenditures for the projects; and develop or revise work instructions or other Quality Management documents.

Other Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree, or relevant Bachelor’s degree plus 3 or more years of independent research experience. May require terminal degree and licensure.
• Documented experience in greenhouse management for multiple labs or projects.

Other Required Qualifications

• Knowledge of plant production and maintenance
• Knowledge of Greenhouse Best Management Practices
• Knowledge of irrigation systems and maintenance
• Knowledge of integrated pest management
• Knowledge of greenhouse technology and environmental controls
• Knowledge of plant identification
• Ability to plan and follow planned activities independently
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to work on a team
• Ability to work independently, travel
• Ability to supervise hourly workers
• Abilty to collaborate with staff, faculty and students

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Horticultural Science, Plant Science, Plant Pathology, Field Biology, Entomology, Ecology, Biology or a related field.
• At least five years of relevant work experience with greenhouse management, plant production and propagation, insect/pest control and cultural management of crops of interest.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

A valid drivers license is required for travel. Valid Driver’s License and ability to obtain an NC drivers license is required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

• The incumbent will need to independently drive departmental trucks and vehicles.

Valid NC Driver's License required Yes

Commercial Driver's License required No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date 11/21/2023

Anticipated Close Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicant required documents: Please attach a resume/CV, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Position Number 00110508

Position Type EHRA Non-Faculty

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Mandatory - Medical Emergencies

Department ID 111801 - Entomology and Plant Pathology

AA/EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu .
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity?
  • NCSU Website
  • Job Alert (automated email from our system)
  • NCSU Executive Search Services
  • Monster.com
  • CareerBuilder.com
  • InsideHigherEd.com
  • HigherEdJobs.com
  • Other Online Job Board
  • Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide
  • Job / Career Fair
  • The Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Professional Journal
  • Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical)
  • Radio / Television Advertisement
  • Professional Organization
  • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
  • Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter
  • NCSU Employee Referral
  • Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other)
  • Other
• * If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Do you have, or will you have by the start date, a relevant post-Baccalaureate degree, or relevant Bachelor’s degree plus 3 or more years of independent research experience. May require terminal degree and licensure?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Please briefly describe your experience in greenhouse management for multiple labs or projects.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * A valid driver's license is required. This license must be maintained throughout employment. Do you have a valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a North Carolina Driver's License within 60 days of hire?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have, or will you have by the start date, a Master's degree in Entomology, Parasitology, or a closely related field?
  • Yes
  • No
Required Documents
• Cover Letter
• Contact Information for References
• Resume/CV
Optional Documents

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
RALEIGH, NC 27695
PHONE: (919) 515-2011

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Job Tags

Hourly pay, Full time, Work experience placement, Monday to Friday,

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