Research Technician

• Assisting the principal investigator with lab, greenhouse, and research activities including set up, maintenance, and take down of experiments, phenotyping for PCN resistance, conducting USDA-APHIS bioassays, setting up, maintaining field trials, and assessing impacts of treatments under greenhouse or field conditions.

• Maintaining the potato tissue culture collection; maintaining the PCN cyst inventory collection including rearing, and extraction.
• Conducting laboratory testing to determine hatch, viability of PCN.

• Supervising and training hourly student employees in standard protocols including safety, and containment protocols for the quarantine pest, PCN.
• Training hourly employees in use of small farm equipment, assisting graduate students with lab and field activities, and participating in weekly project planning meetings.

• Attending classes, seminars, and other instruction appropriate to job requirements.
• Maintaining accurate records.

• BS in nematology, plant pathology, entomology, plant science, or a related field.
• Following pre-established procedures and protocols.
• Keeping complete and accurate records for research and analysis of scientific data.
• Experience with use of computers, data entry, retrieval of data.
• Working independently and in a team environment.

• MS in nematology, plant pathology, entomology, plant sciences, or a related field.
• Two years of lab, greenhouse, or field experience in nematology, plant pathology, plant science, or natural sciences.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability in data analysis.
• Experience maintaining and rearing nematode cultures.
• Experience in field research.
• Experience with sterile technique.
• Ability to operate farm equipment.
• Knowledge of plant care/plant health.
• Knowledge of soil types, drainage, and soil amendments.
• Experience with containment protocols for quarantine pests.
• Experience maintaining plants under greenhouse conditions.
• Operation, maintenance, and repair of small engines and pumps.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

• Must be able to lift, carry, and/or otherwise move heavy materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
• May be required to work with toxic, volatile and corrosive chemicals and/or carcinogenic substances.
• May be required to work in adverse environmental conditions, i.e., dusty, hot, or cold conditions outdoors.

The University of Idaho (U of I) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, U of I does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, genetic information or status as any protected veteran or military status in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions and educational programs.