Job Description

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Job Title

Research Technician

Department

FAES | Horticulture and Crop Science

This is a term, grant-funded position with continuation contingent upon availability of funds.

The Research Technician 3 provides advanced research support in the Sustainable Agroecosystems (SAS) Lab, with primary responsibility for day-to-day laboratory operations supporting forage, grazing-systems, and environmental-impact research. Core work is independent, detail-oriented lab management: sample organization and labeling, analytical procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, data quality control, and inventory.

The technician also helps lead the Lab’s earnings-account forage-quality and greenhouse-gas services, including reports, invoices, and collaborator communication. The role includes fieldwork, livestock handling as required, sample collection in pastures and plots, and travel to research stations (~100-mile round trips) during peak seasons.

The Lab values ownership, teamwork, and shared problem-solving.

Primary Duties:

• Independently organize, label, track, and process laboratory samples (forage, soil, greenhouse-gas, and related matrices)
• Perform, quality-check, and help refine analyses (including NIRS, gas chromatography, and related protocols); maintain equipment; train others on methods.
• Manage inventory, supplies, sample storage, and data organization; prepare reports and invoices for commercial analyses; communicate with service users.
• Train and oversee student research assistants on lab and field protocols and safety.
• Support and, as assigned, lead field data collection, including livestock handling, plot/pasture sampling, coordination with research station staff, and field equipment use under demanding conditions.
• Assist with data formatting, manuscripts, extension materials, and other project needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural, Soil, Animal, Horticulture, Crop, or Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field; 4 years of relevant experience required with High School diploma or GED, 2 years of relevant experience required with Associate's Degree, or 0 years of relevant experience required with Bachelor's Degree.

Required Qualifications:

• 2–3 years of relevant research experience (graduate research counts), with lab experience in sample processing, labeling, analytical procedures, and/or research instrumentation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow, document, and improve multi-step protocols.
• Experience working independently and coordinating with students, station staff, or collaborators
• Ability and willingness to do physically demanding fieldwork, including livestock handling as needed, variable weather, and long field days.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license (or ability to obtain one); availability for ~100-mile round trips during peak field periods (May–November).
• Collaborative work style: ownership, clear communication, and support for teammates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience with NIRS, GC, GHG measurements, soil/plant tissue analysis, or similar methods (Lab-specific training provided).
• Experience supervising or mentoring students; teaching or Extension experience a plus.
• Familiarity with Excel, R, or similar tools, and with agricultural outreach or stakeholder communication.
• Background in forage/grazing systems, integrated crop-livestock systems, specialty/emerging crops, or environmental assessments in agriculture.
• Experience balancing lab precision work with multi-site field duties

Additional Information

This job profile is a Research Technician 3 (T3 level) on the career roadmap.

The offer for this position will fall within the positions pay range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications

Location

Kottman Hall (0340)

Position Type

Term (Fixed Term)

Scheduled Hours

40

Shift:

First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

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The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.