Research Associate Malt Quality Lab

Montana State University; Bozeman, Northern (MT, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University is seeking a Research Associate for the Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab within the Barley Breeding project. The role focuses on daily malt quality measurements, data handling, and collaboration with farmers, maltsters, and beverage producers.

The candidate will join a fast-paced team, contribute to project development, mentor student projects, and support publications while maintaining rigorous lab safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in plant science, food or malt quality analysis, chemical analysis or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in lab environments requiring organization and time management.
• Laboratory research experience.

Responsibilities

• Sample intake, organization, and preparation.
• Barley & malt quality analysis using lab equipment.
• Data collection, organization, maintenance, analysis and reporting.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness and maintenance.
• Support research including project development and supervising undergraduate/graduate projects.
• Contribute to and submit research publications.
• Uphold lab safety protocols.
• Interact with the public through lab tours and industry presentations.

Skills

Bachelor's in plant science

Lab experience

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's in plant science

Master's in plant science

Tools

NIR analyzer

CLP malters

Pfeuffer friabilimeter

Densitometer

UV-Vis spectrophotometer

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27113

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

This is a full-time professional position as a Research Associate for the Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, part of the Barley Breeding research project at MSU . Primary duties will be to aid in the daily measurement of malt quality for the Breeding Program, stakeholders, and student projects. Our lab plays a critical role for the malting and brewing/distilling industries, directly providing data to farmers, maltsters, and beverage producers. The successful applicant will integrate into a fast-paced team environment, have excellent attention to detail, organizational and communication skills.

Position Number

Position Number 4C0675

Department

College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type

Professional

Contract Term

Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation

Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

LOA

Recruitment Type

Open

General Statement

The Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology has 28 tenure track faculty including plant pathologists, plant breeders, plant physiologists, horticulturalists, entomologists, cereal chemists, and plant molecular biologists. The Department has state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities. Field research facilities are available both on campus and at seven MAES Research Centers located strategically throughout the state. The Department offers both MS and PhD degrees in Plant Pathology and Plant Science. There are currently 20 thesis MS graduate students and 30 Ph.D. graduate students and more than 150 undergraduate students in the Department. https://plantsciences.montana.edu

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Associate will directly support the Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab director by conducting daily tasks, including:

• Sample intake, organization, and preparation.


• Barley & malt quality analysis, including operation of various pieces of equipment, such as NIR analyzer, CLP malters, Buhler & Perten mills, Pfeuffer friabilimeter, IEC mash bath, Anton Paar densitometer, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, and Fisher Scientific Gallery analyzer


• Data collection, organization, maintenance, analysis and reporting, including upkeep of Quality Control logs


• Maintain laboratory cleanliness and maintenance


• Support research, including project development and novel idea generation as well as supervising and empowering undergraduate and graduate research projects


• Contribute to and submit research publications


• Uphold lab safety protocols


• Interact with the public through lab tours and present findings at industry meetings and conferences

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s in plant science, food or malt quality analysis, chemical analysis or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Experience in lab environments requiring organization and time management.


• Laboratory research experience.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Masters in plant science, food or malt quality analysis, chemical analysis or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Experience generating data specifically for malt or food industries.


• Agricultural experience.


• Experience with genetic markers.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Work both independently and collaboratively with co-workers.


• Effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Organizational and time management skills.


• Flexibility adapting to evolving lab needs.


• Follow food safety and cleanliness requirements


• Follow all university rules and policies.


• Self-motivation for providing accurate and timely results for lab clientele.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Generally, this position is a Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm schedule. However, our team maintains a rotating early shift (typically 7am-3pm) to accomplish the required daily work. Shifts longer than 8 hours are infrequent but sometimes necessary for task completion. Occasionally there may be a weekend task that needs covering, but we keep these brief and minimal.
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

• We keep our lab at a high level of cleanliness, however we do work with grain and dust in the air that can be bothersome to some.


• This position can be fast paced, and is often active for much of the day.

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?

No

Number of Vacancies

1

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on October 8, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new 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

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).