Field Research Technician

University of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The University of Alberta is seeking a Field Research Technician to support the Cropping Systems Research Group across North Campus and Alberta field sites. You will coordinate field operations, organize seed and data collection, and help prepare Materials and Methods for manuscripts.

The role requires supervising teams up to 10 people, operating drones and field equipment, and training staff in field and lab procedures. In-person position in Edmonton with full benefits.

Qualifications

• BSc in agriculture, biology, or related field is required.
• Minimum of four years experience working in small plot agricultural research.
• Able to operate a drone with understanding of data collection.

Responsibilities

• Assist Senior Field Research Technician in seeding, maintaining experiments, and labeling plots.
• Harvest research plots using appropriate equipment and supervise staff.
• Organize drying and proper storage of seeds and samples.
• Independently organize and coordinate teams of up to 10 people for data collection and lab work.
• Train seasonal staff and graduate students in field and lab procedures.
• Contribute to Materials and Methods sections for manuscripts and support data analysis.

Skills

Drone operation

Field data collection

Staff training

Team coordination

Education

BSc in agriculture, biology, or related field

Tools

Drone equipment handling

Small-plot field equipment (tractors, sprayers, seeders, combines)

Job description

Job Description

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

This temporary position has a term length of 1 year and 1 day.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus and South Campus, Edmonton. Work also takes place at St. Albert Farm and various field locations across Alberta.

The Cropping Systems Research Group, led by Dr. Linda Gorim of AFNS, is seeking a Field Research Technician. The main responsibilities include enabling all field research activities, including organizing logistics, prepping and maintaining equipment, data collection/curation and data analysis, preparation of materials for inclusion in manuscripts, drone operation for field data collection, and assisting with greenhouse work when needed. The position receives guidance and supervision from the Senior Field Research Technician and the Principal Investigator. The position will be responsible for training graduate students and staff on instrument and equipment operation and leading the research team in various procedures in the field and in the lab. The position will also be responsible for coordinating teams of up to 10 people to complete various tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Senior Field Research Technician in seeding, maintaining experiments, e.g., trimming plots to the correct size, weeding, seeding pathways, mowing pathways, reseeding missing plots and labeling. The candidate will either do this or train and supervise other staff to perform these duties. Harvest research plots using appropriate equipment (e.g., mechanical thresher or self-propelled combine harvester). The candidate will be involved at all stages of harvest operations and will train and supervise staff assisting in these activities.
• Organize the proper drying of plot harvest in cooperation with other research groups using the drying facilities and ensure proper storage of seed in appropriate containers.
• Independently organize and coordinate teams of up to 10 people to ensure appropriate and accurate collection of pre- and post-harvest samples and data (pre-harvest data may include plant count, tiller count, plant height, stomatal conductance, leaf area, days to flowering, days to maturity, etc., and sampling may include biomass assessments. Post-harvest data collection and processing will include, among others, yield measurements, NIR sample analysis, and soil processing for laboratory analysis. The incumbent will train and supervise casual and seasonal staff to assist in performing these activities.
• Train seasonal staff and graduate students in field and laboratory procedures, including but not limited to, seed drill operation, seed counting equipment, germination testing, how to operate plant physiology equipment, dryer operation, seed tray set up, documentation of seed movement, etc. Essentially shows where everything is, how it works, and validation of physiological and agronomic data coming from the equipment.
• Assist the Senior Field Research Technician with drone operation and data collection from all research plots, i.e., independently plan for data collection at off-station sites across the province. This duty is shared with the Senior Field Research Technician who is responsible for making sure all data is collected from all locations.
• Provide feedback on new and existing field and lab protocols and suggest possible improvements to the Senior Field Research Technician and Principal Investigator.
• Contribute to research output, including preparation of the “Materials and Methods” section for manuscripts, data analysis, and preparation of graphs and tables.

Qualifications

• A BSc in agriculture, biology, or related field is required.
• Minimum of four years experience working in small plot agricultural research.
• Able to operate a drone with understanding of data collection.
• Able to use handheld devices for communications and for field note taking.
• Competence in handling and operating small-plot research equipment (tractors, sprayers, seeders, combine harvesters, and tillage equipment); diagnosing problems and repairing hardware.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

About Us

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered.

We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer.

Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.

About The Team

The Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences is a leader in teaching, research, and community engagement across diverse fields including food systems, sustainable resource management, human ecology, and environmental sociology. With more than 500 faculty and staff, over 1,500 undergraduates, and 600 graduate students, the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences leverages 25,000 acres of research land across Alberta to deliver high-impact academic programs and applied research in partnership with industry and communities.