Animal Science Research Technician — Farm Operations & Data

West Virginia University; Morgantown (WV); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37.5-hour work week

13 paid holidays

15 annual leave per year

18 sick days per year

Health insurance and benefits

401(a) retirement with 6% match

Job summary

West Virginia University is seeking an Agricultural Research Specialist to support the DCANRD REOC centers, assisting faculty in teaching and demonstrations, and ensuring quality operation of facilities. The role requires flexibility to work holidays, weekends, and outside core hours at times.

The position emphasizes animal care and husbandry, data collection for research projects, and collaboration with faculty and staff to maintain SOPs and safety standards across teaching locations.

Responsibilities

• Feeds food stuffs and commercial feed to animals daily and as needed.
• Follows protocols, policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and requirements under light supervision.
• Receives newly arrived animals and provides clean housing, food, and water.
• Handles, restrains, and identifies animals and assists in treatment as directed by vets or researchers.
• Tags, numbers, or marks animals for identification.
• Transfers animals to clean housing and maintains housing conditions.
• Observes irregularities in animal groups and reports to supervisor/vet/PI.
• Operates standard University trucks, tractors, and equipment as needed.
• Plants and harvests products for animal consumption to meet growth needs.
• Restocks supplies and maintains all animal inventories; maintains records.
• Reviews and updates SOPs and adheres to department policies and safety procedures.
• Assists in oversight of research activities including production, maintenance, and collection of resources.
• Collects research data and/or samples for the farm manager; assists in organizing data for analyses.
• Observes and records data for accuracy; prepares data for input into computer systems.
• Maintains required records, reports, and statistics per laws and policies.
• Maintains departmental policies, safety, and environmental controls.
• Assists PIs in developing and evaluating new analytical procedures.
• Performs field data collection including measuring, harvesting, weighing, and sample prep.

Job description

West Virginia University is seeking an Agricultural Research Specialist to support the DCANRD REOC centers, assisting faculty in teaching and demonstrations, and ensuring quality operation of facilities. The role requires flexibility to work holidays, weekends, and outside core hours at times.

The position emphasizes animal care and husbandry, data collection for research projects, and collaboration with faculty and staff to maintain SOPs and safety standards across teaching locations.