Research Specialist Lead

University of Missouri - Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 54,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Missouri - Columbia invites applications for the Research Specialist Lead to oversee perennial crop research, germplasm collections, and demonstration plantings at the MU Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm. You will develop management approaches for legacy orchards and new plots, ensuring health of germplasm and productivity of research plantings.

Lead day-to-day UMCA farm operations, provide technical guidance, collaborate with faculty, and drive improvements in plant

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of experience in a relevant field are required.
• Experience developing and implementing horticultural management programs involving perennial crops and orchards is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple field operations and collaborate with faculty and staff.
• Strong communication and leadership skills to direct UMCA field activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead horticultural and agronomic management of UMCA perennial research, germplasm, production, and demonstration plantings.
• Coordinate farm operations and provide day-to-day leadership for UMCA staff.
• Evaluate plant performance and management practices and implement improvements.
• Support research, breeding, demonstration, and commercial-scale production activities.
• Provide technical and operational leadership for harvest, postharvest, equipment, and farm activities.

Skills

Effective communication

Leadership

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Field operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, plant science, agronomy, agroforestry, forestry, crop science, or related field

Job description

Hiring Department

School of Natural Resources

Job Description

The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA) isseeking a skilled and motivated Research Specialist Lead to overseeperennial crop research, germplasm collections, and demonstrationplantings at the MU Horticulture and Agroforestry ResearchFarm.

Nature of Work

• Performs a variety of assignments and analyses that impact theResearch function.
• Analyzes and interprets results of studies, reports, and otherdata sources to aid in various research efforts.
• Solves problems in straightforward situations.
• Analyzes potential solutions using technical experience,judgment and precedent, providing input and recommendations.
• Impacts the quality of own work and the work of others on theteam, ensuring efficient workflows, productivity, compliance,etc.
• Explains complex information to others in a manner that isunderstandable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead horticultural and agronomic management of UMCAperennial research, germplasm, production, and demonstrationplantings at the MU Horticulture and Agroforestry ResearchFarm. In collaboration with faculty and research personnel,develop and implement management approaches for legacy orchards andnew production-oriented research plots, including establishment,fertility, weed management, pest and disease management,irrigation, pruning and training, orchard-floor management,harvest, and related cultural practices. Management will emphasizemaintaining the health and integrity of germplasm resources,promoting vigorous growth of research plantings, and enhancing theproductivity and demonstration value of legacy plantings.
• Coordinate UMCA farm operations and provide day-to-dayleadership and oversight for UMCA staff working at the researchfarm. Establish work priorities and coordinate personnel,equipment, materials, and seasonal activities across UMCAplantings. Provide technical guidance regarding field operations,crop handling and storage, equipment use and management, orchardand research-plot maintenance, and other farm processes. Coordinateclosely with the Research Specialist Lead responsible forbreeding-plot management and provide overall guidance regardingfarm-wide priorities and allocation of shared resources.
• Evaluate plant performance and existing management practicesand recommend and implement improvements. Use fieldobservations, research objectives, technical experience, andavailable data to identify management limitations and developapproaches that improve plant establishment, growth, health,productivity, operational efficiency, and management cost-benefit.Work collaboratively with faculty and research staff to evaluateand update management practices while protecting experimentalintegrity and long-term research resources.
• Support research, breeding, demonstration, andcommercial-scale production activities. Collaborate withfaculty and research personnel in planning and establishing newperennial research plantings and provide horticultural andoperational input into management of breeding populations andreplicated trials. Help ensure that field operations supportresearch objectives and maintain plant identity and experimentalintegrity. Improve the productivity and management of appropriatelegacy plantings to support commercial demonstration, outreach,crop utilization, and program revenue.
• Provide technical and operational leadership for harvest,postharvest, equipment, and research-farm activities.Coordinate or provide guidance for harvest logistics, crop handlingand storage, equipment selection and use, maintenance priorities,and seasonal farm workflows. Train and provide technical directionto staff, students, temporary employees, and other personnelparticipating in UMCA field activities and promote safe, efficient,and consistent research-farm practices.

Supervision Received

Works within guidelines and policies, noting improvements andefficiencies to supervisor/manager. Works collaboratively withfaculty and program leadership to establish research and managementobjectives and exercises independent technical judgment in planningand implementing day-to-day horticultural and farm-managementactivities.

Supervision Exercised

Provides technical and operational guidance to UMCA personnelworking at the MU Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Farm.Coordinates work priorities and activities of staff, students,temporary employees, and other personnel assigned to UMCA farmoperations. Serves as the immediate supervisor for designated UMCAfarm staff, including the Research Specialist Lead – Perennial CropBreeding & Research Plots, as assigned by programleadership.

Shift

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree and at least 3 years of experience from whichcomparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, plant science, agronomy,agroforestry, forestry, crop science, or a related field.
• Experience managing perennial horticultural crops, orchards,agroforestry systems, research plantings, or comparableagricultural operations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing horticulturalmanagement programs involving multiple aspects of perennial cropproduction, such as plant establishment, fertility, vegetationmanagement, irrigation, pruning, pest and disease management,harvest, and postharvest handling.
• Experience coordinating agricultural personnel, seasonal workactivities, equipment, and multiple concurrent fieldoperations.
• Experience with agricultural research, germplasm collections,perennial crop breeding programs, or management of replicated fieldexperiments is preferred.
• Experience operating and coordinating use of agricultural equipmentand implementing safe and efficient field operations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Possesses expanded conceptual knowledge of the Researchfunction and broadens capabilities.
• Possesses knowledge of best practices within research andapplies analytical knowledge developed from work experience.
• Knowledge of perennial crop and orchard management principlesand ability to diagnose plant-management problems and recommendappropriate interventions.
• Ability to translate research and production objectives intopractical field-management plans.
• Ability to organize personnel, equipment, and seasonaloperations across multiple research and production plantings.
• Ability to evaluate management practices in terms of plantperformance, research value, labor requirements, operationalefficiency, and cost.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaborativelywith faculty, research staff, farm personnel, students, andexternal stakeholders.

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been establishedas $53,976 - $68,000 per year

Salary

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but notlimited to, the individual’s particular combination of education,skills, and experience, as well as organizationalrequirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck.The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans,and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Salary Plan

Grade GGS 010

University Title

RESEARCH SPECIALIST LEAD

To review the University of Missouri’s Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants candetermine their university title by accessing the Talent Profiletile in myHR.

Application Materials

MU application

Resume/CV

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for thisposition.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parentalleave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for allfour UM System campuses. For additional information on Universitybenefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director ofAccessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.