Supervisor, Lab

New Mexico State University; Las Cruces (NM, CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University in Las Cruces seeks a Supervisor, Lab to provide technical and operational support for laboratory, greenhouse, and field research across multiple projects. You will oversee day-to-day research operations, including equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, irrigation systems, and site coordination.

The role includes supervising graduate and undergraduate staff, managing inventories, and ensuring safety and compliance with research protocols and regulations.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of greenhouse and controlled environment and open field production, fertigation systems, pest management, and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and operational support for research activities across multiple funded projects.
• Perform preventive maintenance, calibration, and repair coordination for irrigation and laboratory equipment.
• Schedule, train, and supervise graduate and undergraduate student employees.
• Manage procurement, storage, and inventory of supplies for lab, greenhouse, and field sites.
• Coordinate plot prep, planting, maintenance, and harvest activities; monitor crop conditions and address issues.

Skills

Greenhouse knowledge

Fertigation operation

IPM and pesticide regs

Field plot procedures

Lab safety standards

Education

Associate's Degree + 4 years experience

Bachelor's degree + 2 years experience

Job description

Department Contact: Israel Joukhadar, 575-646-5280, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: The Plant and Environmental Sciences Department at New Mexico State University is seeking a Supervisor, Laboratory to provide technical and operational support for laboratory, greenhouse, and field research activities across multiple funded research projects. The position oversees day-to-day research operations, including equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, greenhouse and irrigation systems, laboratory instrumentation, field activities, and research site coordination.

Position Details

Position Title: Supervisor, Lab

College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col

Department: 301400-PLANT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

Job Duties and Responsibilities: THIS IS A 3 YEAR APPOINTMENT
Provides essential technical and operational support for research activities, including equipment maintenance, laboratory and field operations, supply management, and coordination of research-related activities across multiple funded projects.
Performs preventive maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair coordination for greenhouse environmental control systems, Dosatron fertigation injectors, irrigation systems, field sensor arrays, and laboratory analytical instrumentation. Ensures equipment is properly maintained and operational to support the continuity and quality of research activities.
Schedules, trains, and directs the daily work of graduate and undergraduate student employees assigned to multiple funded research projects. Provides safety, equipment, and operational training; monitors compliance with established research protocols and safety procedures; reviews and verifies timesheets; and serves as the first-line point of contact for personnel, scheduling, and day-to-day operational issues.
Manages procurement, receiving, storage, and inventory of fertilizers, growing media, plant protection products, laboratory reagents, and field consumables. Maintains adequate inventory levels and coordinates the timely acquisition and distribution of supplies necessary to support ongoing research activities.
Implements and documents integrated pest management rotations, fertigation programs, and irrigation schedules. Coordinates plot preparation, planting, maintenance, and harvest activities across multiple research sites. Monitors crop and plant conditions, identifies potential issues, and takes or coordinates corrective action to minimize impacts to research trials.
Maintains accurate and comprehensive pesticide application, chemical inventory, safety, equipment, and research-related records. Ensures documentation and operational practices comply with applicable University policies and procedures, as well as state and federal laws and regulatory requirements. Supports required reporting, recordkeeping, and compliance activities associated with laboratory, greenhouse, and field research operations.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:
Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Equivalent Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:
Requires knowledge of greenhouse and controlled environment and open field production, fertilizer chemistry and fertigation injector operation, integrated pest management and pesticide regulations, field plot research procedures, laboratory and chemical safety standards

Special Certification/Licensure:

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed indoors.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.