Research Technician

Weed Science Society of America; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Weed Science Society of America in Raleigh, NC seeks a Research Technician to provide technical and operational support for applied weed science research focusing on soybean and small grains. You will conduct field, greenhouse, and laboratory work, evaluate herbicides and weed management strategies, and help generate reliable data.

You will collaborate with faculty, students, and station personnel, establish field experiments, apply treatments, maintain equipment, record data, and travel to

Qualifications

• Experience with small-plot agricultural or weed science research preferred.
• Experience operating or maintaining agricultural equipment.
• Experience organizing and managing research data and records using spreadsheets or data systems.
• Ability to coordinate research activities with multiple stakeholders.
• Physically able to work outdoors and lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain weed science field experiments, including planting and crop maintenance.
• Prepare, calibrate, and apply herbicide treatments per protocols using various equipment.
• Operate and maintain agricultural research equipment.
• Collect, record, and maintain accurate research data on weed control, crop growth, and yield.
• Assist with greenhouse and laboratory research activities and sample processing.
• Maintain records of treatments, applications, and field activities per safety requirements.
• Travel to research stations and collaborating farms to support trials and demonstrations.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and staff to ensure timely completion of research activities.

Skills

Field experiments

Data collection

Collaborative work

Pesticide safety

Record keeping

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Google Sheets

ARM

Job description

As the Research Technician, you will provide technical and operational support for applied weed science research focused on soybean and small grains. You will conduct and support field, greenhouse, and laboratory research evaluating herbicides and weed management strategies, working closely with faculty, students, research station personnel, and collaborators to support research activities and generate reliable data.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain weed science field experiments, including field preparation, plot layout, planting, crop maintenance, harvesting, and other activities necessary to maintain experimental integrity.
• Prepare, calibrate, and apply herbicide treatments according to research protocols and pesticide label requirements using backpack, CO₂-pressurized, tractor-mounted, and other application equipment.
• Operate, clean, maintain, and perform routine repairs on tractors, planters, sprayers, mowers, utility vehicles, harvest equipment, and other agricultural research equipment.
• Collect, record, and maintain accurate research data, including weed control, crop injury, weed density, crop growth, plant populations, biomass, and yield.
• Assist with greenhouse and laboratory research activities, including planting, plant maintenance, herbicide applications, sample collection, and sample processing.
• Maintain accurate records of research treatments, pesticide applications, field activities, samples, and experimental data, and maintain herbicides, supplies, equipment, and research facilities in accordance with institutional and pesticide safety requirements.
• Travel to research stations, cooperating farms, and other locations to support research trials, Extension demonstrations, and field days.
• Work collaboratively with faculty, students, research station personnel, and other collaborators to support accurate, safe, and timely completion of research activities.

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in small-plot agricultural or weed science research.
• Experience operating and maintaining agricultural equipment.
• Experience collecting, organizing, and managing research data and records using ARM, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or similar electronic data systems.
• Experience coordinating research activities and priorities while working collaboratively with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research station personnel, visiting scientists, and other research team members.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying environmental conditions while performing physically active tasks, including lifting up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.