Research Technician

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

NC State University is seeking a Research Technician to support research and extension activities in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department. The role includes laboratory support, field sampling, and maintenance of research facilities, ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Ideal candidates will have technical experience in environmental research and strong communication skills. This position offers a collaborative environment focused on water quality management and soil physics.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated technical experience in environmental research.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support research activities in water quality and soil physics laboratories.
• Contribute to Extension activities in water quality and sediment control.
• Coordinate project activities for hourly and graduate research assistants.

Skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's, Master's, and/or Doctorate

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please attach a Cover Letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Job Posting Information

Posting Number

Posting Number PG194594SP

Internal Recruitment

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title

Working Title Research Technician

Anticipated Hiring Range

Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with experience (up to $41,851)

Work Schedule

Job Location

Department

Department Crop and Soil Sciences

About the Department

The Crop & Soil Sciences Department provides research, teaching, and extension in support of the NCSU land grant mission.

• Support research activities in water quality and soil physics laboratories within the Crop & Soil Sciences Department.
  • This position provides essential technical and logistical support for faculty-led and graduate student research in water quality and soil physics.
  • Duties include preparing laboratory equipment and instrumentation (e.g., TDR sensors, lysimeters, and spectrophotometers), calibrating sensors, processing soil and water samples, and managing data acquisition systems.
  • The incumbent will assist with laboratory-based experiments and field sampling campaigns, ensuring accurate data collection, adherence to safety protocols, and proper documentation.
  • The Research Technician helps maintain laboratory inventory and ensure compliance with environmental and university lab standards.
• Contribute to Extension activities in the water quality and sediment and erosion control training programs.
  • This position plays a key role in delivering applied knowledge to stakeholders by supporting hands-on Extension training events and certification programs related to water quality management, sediment and erosion control, and stormwater BMPs.
  • The incumbent will help prepare field demonstration setups, maintain training modules and displays, and assist with logistics during workshops and field days.
  • They may also help respond to stakeholder inquiries, provide technical assistance during on-site training, and contribute to the development of outreach materials such as handouts, data summaries, or instructional guides under faculty supervision.
• Support maintenance activities at sediment and erosion control research and education facility.
  • This position ensures the proper functioning and upkeep of the sediment and erosion control research and education facility, which is a core component of both research and Extension programming.
  • Responsibilities include routine inspection and maintenance of erosion control structures (e.g., check dams, silt fences, detention basins), irrigation systems, runoff plots, and monitoring instrumentation.
  • The incumbent will assist with groundskeeping, and small equipment operations (e.g., mowers, compact tractors), and ensure that safety procedures and environmental compliance measures are in place.
  • By keeping the facility operational and research-ready, the Research Technician will help support high-quality field experiments and facilitate effective hands-on learning for training participants.
• Coordinate hourly and graduate research assistant’s project activities.

You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition (https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Other Responsibilities

• Experience with basic operation and maintenance of vehicles, field and laboratory equipment.
• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Qualifications

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Other Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated technical experience in environmental research; preferred experience related to soils and water quality.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills relevant to a variety of technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with environmental research.

Required License or Certification

• A valid NC Driver’s License and the ability to obtain an NC Driver’s License within 60 days of hire.
• A valid Driver’s License must be maintained throughout employment.

Valid NC Driver's License required

Valid NC Driver's License required Yes

Commercial Driver's License Required?

Commercial Driver's License Required? No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 05/16/2025

Earliest Close Date---- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.)

Earliest Close Date---- (Positions will be posted until 5:00 PM ET on this date. Positions remaining posted after this date are still accepting applications but may close at any time.) 05/23/2025

Notice to Applicants

Please make sure that the work history you list on your application is identical to the work history listed on your resume. The application must be filled out completely, do not use the phrase “see resume”.

Special Instructions

Please attach a Cover Letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Position Number

Position Number 00111463

Position Type

Position Type SHRA

Position Classification Band Title

Position Classification Band Title Research Technician

Position Classification Band Level

Position Classification Band Level Contributing

Position Classification Salary Range

Position Classification Salary Range $ 34,320 - $ 72,734

Salary Grade Equivalency

Salary Grade Equivalency GN04

Alternate Option

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00

Appointment

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Time Limited Position

Time Limited Position Yes

Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable)

Time-Limited Appointment Length (if applicable) 12 months

Department Id

Department Id 110901 - Crop and Soil Sciences

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail] .

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity?
  • NCSU website
  • Craigslist
  • Indeed.com
  • Carolina Job Finder/Employment Guide
  • NC Works
  • Dress for Success
  • Technical/Trade School Program
  • Job Fair (Identify Job Fair in question #2 below)
  • Direct Contact from NSCU Representative (identify person in question #2 below)
  • Other
  • Monster.com
  • Other online job board
  • NCSU employee referral
  • Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Ohter)
• If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Please select the response below that best describes your experience/education for the Research Technician position.
  • Bachelor's, Master's, and/or Doctorate
  • Associate's in any field and at least 2 years of related experience
  • High School diploma/GED and at least 4 years of related experience
  • Combination of post-high school education and experience to equal at least 4 years of experience in a closely related field. (ex: 1 year towards a degree and 3 years of experience)
  • Did not complete high school but have a combination of high school education and experience to equal at least 8 years (ex. 3 years of high school and 5 years of experience).
  • None of the above
• * A valid driver's license (DL) is required and a North Carolina Driver's License (NCDL) must be obtained within 60 days of hire and maintained as a condition of employment. Do you have a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to start date, and the ability to obtain a North Carolina Driver's License within 60 days of hire?
  • Yes, I have a valid NCDL and will maintain it as a condition of employment.
  • Yes, I have a valid DL from another state and will obtain a NCDL within 60 days of hire and maintain it as a condition of employment.
  • Yes, I have a valid DL from another state but cannot or will not obtain a NCDL within 60 days of hire.
  • No, I do not have a valid DL from any state, but I will obtain a it within 60 days of hire and maintain it as a condition of employment.
  • No, I do not have a valid DL from any state and cannot or will not obtain it.
• * In the space below, please describe your professional experience as it relates to this role.

  (Open Ended Question)

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume/CV
• Contact Information for References
Optional Documents

NC STATE UNIVERSITY
RALEIGH, NC 27695
PHONE: [phone]