Small fruits breeding program is seeking a research technician to assist Dr. Latha Melmaiee’s research.This is a 100% grant funded position. The research Technician will help maintain strawberry andblueberry nursery in green house and fi eld plots, assist students and scientifi c staff in conductingexperiments, assist in basic molecular biology laboratory experiments, prepare reagents, place orders,and assist PI in everyday activities. The position also requires the individual to assist with student training,mentoring, data collection and report preparation. This position is funded for approximately 2-yearsdepending on job performance and funding.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The following are the functions essential to perform this job:
1. Assist the program director with the funded projects and research activities both in the lab and fi eld.
2. Assist with student training and mentoring.
3. Assist the program director with data collection and analysis, reports, and publication.
4. Assist the program director with laboratory management.
5. Assist PI in ordering consumables and reagents, following up with invoice payments and other administrative activities.
6. The individual should have the capacity to understand scientific experiments.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Must have a valid Driver License and should be able to drive to off campus research site.
2. knowledge and interest in growing and maintain plants
3. Must have knowledge/experience in data collection from experimental plants
4. Able to prepare basic buffers and reagents for laboratory experiments
5. Knowledge and experience in basic molecular biology techniques such as extracting nucleic acidsfrom plant samples, conducting PCR, gel electrophoresis etc.,
6. Must have effective networking, oral communication, and writing skills.
7. Must have proven ability in technical skills required to conduct independent research.
8. Must be self-motivated with a proven ability to work both independently and as a team member.
9. Must have proven ability to work successfully with diverse students and faculty.
QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:
The successful candidate must have a Batcheler degree or associate degree majoring in plant science,Horticultural Science or life sciences from a fully accredited institution. Having a work experience,internship in the relevant fi eld is a plus.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:
The criteria for evaluation in this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the DSU Fundamentals.
- Able to assist in conducting experiments in the greenhouse, lab and in field
- Assist PI in purchasing reagents, lab consumables and maintain inventory
- Assist students with their experiments as needed for day-to-day activities
- This individual should assist PI in plant breeding programs and record keeping.
Applications may be filed online at the following link: https://www.desu.edu/about/administration/human-resources
