TITLE: Research Associate for Urban Agriculture and Controlled Environment Agriculture
DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension Program
REPORTS TO: Principal Investigator
CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 months
EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD
STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week
LOCATION On-Site Main Campus
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time
EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
The Research Associate for Urban Agriculture and Controlled Environment Agriculture provides research, laboratory, and technical support for projects within the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources. The position assists the Principal Investigator (PI) with planning, conducting, and evaluating research focused on urban agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, sustainable agriculture, and food systems.
The Research Associate manages laboratory operations, supports research activities, maintains laboratory equipment, assists with data collection and analysis, prepares reports and scholarly publications, and provides technical guidance to faculty, staff, and students. The position also supports grant-funded research initiatives by assisting with project implementation, reporting, and proposal development.
This position requires regular on-campus attendance to support laboratory operations, collaborate with faculty, staff, and students, maintain research facilities, and conduct research activities. Employment in this position is contingent upon the continued availability of extramural grant funding.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Assist the Principal Investigator and research team in planning, implementing, and conducting research projects related to urban agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, sustainable agriculture, and food systems.
- Coordinate daily laboratory operations, including maintaining laboratory facilities, equipment, supplies, and inventory.
- Maintain, calibrate, troubleshoot, and ensure the proper operation of laboratory and research equipment.
- Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures, and safety practices.
- Conduct laboratory analyses and assist with experimental design, sample preparation, data collection, data management, and statistical analysis.
- Maintain accurate laboratory records, research databases, spreadsheets, and documentation in accordance with University and funding agency requirements.
- Assist faculty, staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students in the operation of laboratory equipment and research procedures.
- Provide technical instruction and laboratory training to students participating in research projects.
- Coordinate laboratory scheduling and assist with management of laboratory and research facilities.
- Assist with the operation and maintenance of research greenhouse, controlled environment agriculture facilities, research plots, and other research areas as assigned.
- Conduct collaborative and independent research related to sustainable agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, plant production systems, urban agriculture, food systems, and related disciplines.
- Assist in developing educational demonstrations, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities that support research and student engagement.
- Prepare annual, interim, and final reports for funding agencies and project stakeholders.
- Assist with the preparation and submission of grant proposals and other external funding opportunities.
- Prepare scholarly publications, technical reports, abstracts, posters, presentations, and other research communications.
- Present research findings at professional meetings, conferences, workshops, and other educational events.
- Assist in tracking graduate student applications, student research progress, and project documentation as assigned.
- Collaborate with faculty, research staff, Extension personnel, industry partners, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders to advance research objectives.
- Maintain compliance with University policies, laboratory safety procedures, grant requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission of Kentucky State University.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of laboratory operations, scientific research methods, and experimental design.
- Knowledge of controlled environment agriculture, urban agriculture, sustainable agriculture, horticulture, plant science, food systems, or related disciplines.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and proper operation of scientific equipment.
- Knowledge of research data collection, recordkeeping, database management, and statistical analysis.
- Ability to establish laboratory protocols and maintain organized laboratory operations.
- Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and report research data accurately.
- Ability to prepare technical reports, scholarly publications, grant proposals, and presentations.
- Ability to operate laboratory instrumentation and troubleshoot laboratory equipment.
- Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, funding agencies, and external stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative research team.
- Ability to supervise and mentor graduate students, undergraduate students, interns, and student employees participating in research activities.
- Ability to manage multiple research projects and prioritize competing deadlines.
- Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, spreadsheet software, database management systems, and statistical analysis software.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with research protocols and grant requirements.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
- This position may provide functional supervision and technical direction to graduate students, undergraduate students, interns, temporary employees, and other research personnel participating in laboratory and research activities but does not have regular supervisory responsibility for full-time employees.
OTHER DUTIES:
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and operational needs of Kentucky State University.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in Controlled Environment Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Science, Agronomy, Agriculture Education, Agribusiness, Food Systems, or a closely related field is required.
- Experience conducting laboratory or applied agricultural research is required.
- Experience with laboratory operations, scientific instrumentation, research data collection, and statistical analysis is preferred.
- Experience preparing scholarly publications, technical reports, or grant proposals is preferred.
- Experience supervising or mentoring students in laboratory or research settings is preferred.
- Experience working with controlled environment agriculture systems, greenhouse production, hydroponics, urban agriculture, or sustainable food systems is preferred.
Licensing and Certifications:
- Valid driver's license is required.
- Ability to obtain and maintain laboratory safety certifications and other University-required research training.
- Ability to obtain or maintain certifications related to laboratory operations, food safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), or other research-related certifications is preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work is performed in laboratories, greenhouses, controlled environment agriculture facilities, offices, classrooms, agricultural research facilities, and outdoor field research locations.
- Regular on-campus attendance is required to support laboratory operations, conduct research, supervise students, maintain equipment, and collaborate with faculty and staff.
- Occasional travel within Kentucky and the continental United States may be required for research activities, conferences, meetings, workshops, field research, and professional development.
- Requires standing, walking, bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, and occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling equipment, supplies, or materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Work may involve exposure to laboratory chemicals, biological materials, agricultural environments, greenhouse conditions, outdoor weather conditions, and research equipment while following established safety procedures.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa
Internal candidates are encouraged to apply.
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The functions, qualifications, knowledge/skills, and physical requirements listed in this job description represent the essential duties of the job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Job Functions listed do not necessarily include all activities that the individual may perform.
