Scientific Research Assistant Jobs

Position Title

Scientific Research Assistant (up to two positions) (id:82137)

Campus

Orono

Department

School of Food and Agriculture - OSFA

Bargaining Unit

ACSUM

Salary Band/Wage Band

A13

Location:

Presque Isle ME

Statement Of The Job

Position is available to employees of the Associated C.O.L.T. Staff of the University of Maine from 07/11/2023 through 07/17/2023 and open to external applicants thereafter.

This position provides staff needed for our grant-funded, potato research program at Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle. The Scientific Research Assistant will need to be able to work in the greenhouse, field, grading rooms, and laboratories at the research farm to accomplish the following tasks: preparing and planting research potato plots in the greenhouse and field, collecting research data from these plots and in the laboratories and grading rooms, maintaining high quality seed potato plots, collecting research samples, preparing for sampling and harvest, harvesting field and greenhouse plots, conducting potato quality evaluations, packing seed potatoes for shipment to research sites throughout the US, and preparing seed potatoes for planting in our own research and seed plots. Positions are full-time, 40 hours per week, 5 days a week. Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Due to the nature of the position, work beyond regular hours (to include evenings and weekends) may be necessary to meet the requirements of the position. These positions pay $16.17/hour.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Harvests field and greenhouse plots.
• Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned.
• Packs seed potatoes for shipment to research sites throughout the US.
• P repares seed potatoes for planting in our research and seed plots. May also prepare materials for planting of other crops.
• Prepares and plants research materials and plots in the greenhouse and field.
• Collects samples and data from research plots.
• Grades crop research samples and conducts quality evaluations in the grading room and associated laboratories.
• Maintains high quality seed potato and research plots in the field and greenhouse.
• Prepares research materials so that research plots can be planted, sampled and harvested.

About The University

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.

The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits (http://www.maine.edu/about-the-system/system-office/human-resources/benefits/) for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.

UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer here (https://www.bangorregion.com/) .

Qualifications

Required:

• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Patience at conducting detailed, but routine and repetitive research tasks (e.g. planting, weighing, grading, slicing, frying, cutting, packaging, counting, etc).
• Typically has the education associated with a high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and at least one year of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to work in the field, greenhouse, and grading facilities under sometimes difficult conditions due weather, dust, etc.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work constructively as part of team.
• Ability to listen carefully and properly follow instructions well so that research tasks are completed correctly.

Preferred

• At least one year of experience working with potatoes in a research setting with specific experience in seed potato preparation, planting field and greenhouse plots, harvesting field and greenhouse plots, and quality evaluations.

Other Information

Materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:

• A cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position 2.) a resume/curriculum vitae 3.) contact information for three professional references

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

Search Timeline is as follows: Review of applications to begin: August 1, 2023 Interviews to begin no earlier than: August 2, 2023 Tentative start date: August 14, 2023

For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Greg Porter at [email protected] or 207-581-2943.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post offer physical.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 127 Alumni Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207-581-1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Length

Fiscal Year (12 Months)

Required Documents

Cover Letter, References, Resume/CV