(Casual hire) Research Support Staff

University-of-Hawaii-System; Kahului (HI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Hawai'i invites applicants for a Research Support Staff role in CTAHR, Maui County. This casual hire position supports field and laboratory research, with responsibilities spanning data collection, sample handling, and equipment operation across multiple sites.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field, strong communication, and the ability to travel and adapt to variable schedules.

Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree in agriculture, agricultural engineering, plant and soil sciences or related field is required.
• Functional knowledge of agriculture principles, practices, and techniques is essential.
• Ability to understand and apply relevant federal, state laws and regulations in agriculture.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and resolve common research issues.
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to work with diverse teams.
• Ability to operate a PC and common software including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to travel across locations and work flexible hours including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate technical logistics for field research and laboratory trials in Maui County and laboratories.
• Oversee data logging systems and collect environmental and plant metrics.
• Prepare and catalog soil, tissue, water, insects, and samples for analysis.
• Perform field evaluations and report crop conditions to project leads.
• Log parameters and observations into research databases and tools.
• Manage daily technical operations of greenhouses, hydroponics, and field plots.
• Program, troubleshoot, and calibrate irrigation and environmental control systems.
• Coordinate trial layouts, treatments, and equipment setup for research trials.
• Inspect facilities and perform maintenance on equipment and controls.
• Maintain logs, inventory, and safety records; support procurement of supplies.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Assist in drafting technical documentation and trial summaries.

Skills

Agriculture knowledge

Data collection & analysis

Communication skills

Teamwork

Computer literacy

Travel ability

Education

Baccalaureate degree in agriculture or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

(Casual hire) Research Support Staff (CTAHR/Maui County) | University of Hawai'i page has loaded.

Full-Time Temporary

Job Number

2026-02257

University of Hawai'i at Manoa - College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience

****Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University of Hawai’i may apply for Casual Hire appointments, which include administrative, professional, and technical (APT) or instructional-type positions. Because of the temporary nature of these appointments, Casual Hire employees are not eligible for most benefits provided to regular Board of Regents or Civil Service employees. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees, and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.****

Title: Research Support Staff

Position Number: Casual

Hiring Unit: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), Maui County

Date Posted: October 21, 2026

Closing Date: November 4, 2026, 11:59PM HST

Salary:$26.00 - $30.00 per hour; salary commensurate with experience

Full Time/Part Time:Full-time or part-time

Month:11-month

Temporary/Permanent:Temporary

Other Conditions These positions are subject to availability of funding and renewal is contingent upon satisfactory performance, staffing requirements, and/or availability of funding. For best consideration, all application materials should be submitted by November 4, 2026, 11:59PM HST. Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

• *Coordinate technical logistics for setting up and maintaining field research for Maui County and/or laboratory trials evaluating crop performance, soil responses, and pest management systems.
• *Oversee scientific data logging systems and collect environmental parameters, soil metrics, water quality data, and plant growth measurements using scientific field instruments.
• *Coordinate the collection, cataloging, and preparation of soil, plant tissue, water, insects, and/or microorganism samples for analytical laboratory processing.
• *Perform technical field evaluations to monitor pest/disease incidence and report physiological crop conditions to research project leads.
• *Log experimental trial parameters, field mapping coordinates, and observation data into specialized research databases and web-based decision tools.
• *Oversee daily technical operations and environmental schedules for research which include greenhouses, hydroponic units, and/or field plots.
• *Program, troubleshoot, and calibrate automated irrigation networks, environmental control computers, and specialized research facility equipment.
• *Coordinate research plot layout schedules, treatment application timing, and technical equipment setup for research trials.
• Inspect research facilities, automated environmental controls, and field instrumentation to perform specialized technical maintenance and schedule major facility repairs.
• Maintain detailed operational logs, chemical/pesticide application tracking, inventory records, and facility usage schedules.
• Manage procurement logistics for specialized research supplies, fertilizers, field tools, and safety gear.
• Monitor field and facility compliance with state, federal, and University environmental health, safety, and worker protection standards.
• Assist research personnel in compiling trial summary tables, preparing field demonstration plot layouts, and drafting technical documentation.
• Transports equipment and materials for research.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in agriculture, agricultural engineering, plant and soil sciences or related field and 0 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for management of facilities, equipment and employees; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• Functional knowledge of principles, practices & techniques in the area of agriculture demonstrated by knowledge, understanding & ability to apply concepts, terminology.
• Functional knowledge & understanding of principles, theories, federal & state laws, rules, regulations & systems associated with agriculture.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize problems, identify possible causes & resolve the full range problems that may commonly occur in agriculture research.
• Demonstrated ability to understand oral and written documentation, write reports and procedures, and communicate effectively in a variety of situations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships with internal & external organizations, groups, team members and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability of active listening skills and the ability to work independently across multiple locations, and flexibility to adapt to changing research and/or operational needs.
• Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. Requirements may be fulfilled by a valid Hawaii Driver's license (class 3), comparable driver's license, or other means of transportation, which meets position needs.
• Ability to work outside of normal business, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed.
• Ability to lift, carry, or otherwise move supplies and equipment up to 40 pounds, with or without assistance or utilizing appropriate methods (e.g., carts, dollies, or team lifts).

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience supporting agricultural research operations, field trial logistics, greenhouse operations, and/or biological research data collection (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Working knowledge of technical methods in agronomy, horticulture, and/or soil science, to include operation of controlled environment facilities, standard pest and/or disease identification, and/or scientific data logging and/or record-keeping procedures.
• Ability to coordinate technical field research tasks and maintain accurate data logs.
• Ability to operate and program automated environmental/irrigation systems.
• Ability to enforce safety protocols for chemical application and facility operation.

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks. In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office. In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status. Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/

Note: Complete applications and required document attachments must be submitted before close of vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee.