Research Technician for WTARS

Summary: The Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station (WTARS) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES) at Alabama A&M University are actively seeking a Full-time Research Technician to support ongoing research into the genetics, genomics, and breeding of industrial and bioenergy crops, including industrial hemp, Miscanthus, and sorghum. The Research Technician will conduct field, greenhouse, and laboratory tasks; collect and manage data; assist with protocol implementation; help maintain research resources; and support day-to-day operations. The technician will work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team. Specific duties may vary depending on the technician's skills and project needs. An M.S. degree is preferred to support advanced technical work and data handling, but strong B.S. candidates with relevant experience are also encouraged. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: * Assist with field and greenhouse research activities, including plot setup, planting, crop management, harvest, sample collection, and post-harvest processing. * Support crop genetics and breeding tasks, such as trial establishment, propagation, pollination, and phenotypic selection following established protocols. * Implement standard data collection procedures for manual phenotyping, greenhouse measurements, and UAV-based imaging. * Organize, enter, and maintain research data in spreadsheets and databases; ensure accuracy, completeness, and proper documentation. * Maintain laboratory, greenhouse, and field equipment, including inventory management, routine calibration, and basic troubleshooting. * Assist with data analysis and the preparation of materials for scientific manuscripts, including data summaries, tables, and figures. * Provide guidance to student workers on basic field and laboratory procedures to ensure consistency, safety, and adherence to protocols. * Perform additional agricultural or operational tasks as assigned, depending on seasonal workflow and project needs. Minimum Position Requirements (including certifications, licenses, etc.): * B.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences, Crop Science, or a related field. An M.S. degree in any of these fields is a plus. * One to three years of experience in agricultural research settings, with additional experience in the specified fields being advantageous. * Certificate for a drone pilot license is a plus. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: * Demonstrable knowledge of plant genetics and proficiency in plot-scale field phenotyping. * Experienced in both fieldwork and dry lab work, including data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation. * Excellent communication skills, capable of producing detailed scientific reports and presenting findings. * Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail. * Highly self-motivated, able to take initiative and work with minimal supervision. * Able to design, set up, and manage field experiments and work collaboratively in a team-oriented research environment.

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