Research Assistant II

Montana State University; Sidney (MT); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University at the MSU Eastern Agricultural Research Center in Sidney, MT, supports cereal variety trials and related research across field, greenhouse, and lab activities. The role includes planting plots, soil sampling, and data entry, contributing to quality control and project efficiency.

The position requires basic lab and field skills, with options to perform diverse duties under supervision of the superintendent, and occasional travel in-state.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or B.S. in related fields.
• Knowledge and experience in organizing field and greenhouse experiments.
• Knowledge and experience in processing soil and plant samples in the lab.
• Experience in using Microsoft Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Packaging and organizing seeds.
• Planting field plots (driving tractor or operating planter).
• Applying fertilizer and controlling weeds.
• Collecting soil and plant samples.
• Processing soil and plant samples in the lab.
• Measuring grain quality parameters in the lab.
• Recording and entering data into a computer.
• This person will also clean and maintain EARC ground and facilities and help in other projects as needed.

Skills

Field experiments organization

Excel proficiency

Lab data entry

Word processing

Education

HS diploma or BS in related fields

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27118

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

This position is located at the MSU Eastern Agricultural Research Center, in Sidney, MT. MSU EARC has a nice research facility with modern research labs, greenhouses, and irrigated and dryland research farms. The research farms are equipped with three linear irrigation systems and modern planting and harvesting equipment, conducting agronomic and plant pathology research on cereal, pulse, and oilseed crops. This position is to support the field, greenhouse, and lab research activities for cereal variety trials and other projects as needed.

Position Number

Position Number 4M0879

Department

Department AES EARC

Division

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary $20.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

This position is under the supervision of the superintendent to support the variety testing team on the on- and off-station cereal and pulse variety trials and other duties as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Job duties include but not limit to:

• Packaging and organizing seeds;
• Planting field plots (driving tractor or operating planter);
• Applying fertilizer and controlling weeds;
• Collecting soil and plant samples;
• Processing soil and plant samples in the lab;
• Measuring grain quality parameters in the lab
• Recording and entering data into a computer.
• This person will also clean and maintain EARC ground and facilities and help in other projects as needed.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• High school diploma or B.S. in related fields.
• Knowledge and experience in organizing field and greenhouse experiments.
• Knowledge and experience in processing soil and plant samples in the lab.
• Experience in using Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge in statistical analysis.
• Experience in operating small farm equipment.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Have great communication skills.
• Work as part of a team.
• Exercise initiative and independent judgement in day to day activities.
• Have the ability to prioritize duties, and possess time management skills.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Occasional in and out of state overnight travels are required.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in Montana’s climate and field environment.
• Occasional moving of seeds and samples in bags weighing up to 50 pounds, ability to tolerate dust, insects, fungus, stationary position for extended periods of time and excellent manual dexterity.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).