Research Assistant

The Agronomy department is seeking a Research Assistant. In this role, you will be responsible for managing the sorghum field and breeding nursery activities following directives of Principal Investigator and lead scientists. Additional duties will include:

• Performance tests of varieties and hybrids, and management of crop nurseries for breeding and for seed increases, (planting, establishing and maintaining optimal agronomic crop conditions, pollinating, harvesting, threshing and seed processing)
• Curate and maintain seed of sorghum germplasm
• Arrange propagation schedule for genetic stocks in long term storage
• Collect, store, and process agronomic data collected in research nurseries and production fields
• Supervise student and temporary help with field and seed lab activities
• Guide field operations of graduate and undergraduate student research
• Independently operate farm machinery (tractors, planter, combine) and conduct preventative maintenance on these
• Coordinate land requests, field management operation options, planting and harvest schedules with ACRE and PAC superintendents and off-season farm managers
• Organize seed shipments for winter nurseries and remote testing locations
• Order supplies needed for project activities

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1 year of crop breeding and genetics nursery management experience
• In lieu of degree consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of related education and required experience (Associate's degree + 3 years of related experience; HS diploma/GED + 5 years of related experience)
• Experience managing field operations for crop breeding and genetics
• Flexibility to travel to winter nursery (Puerto Rico) for extended periods (1-2 times in the Winter and early Spring for durations of 2-4 weeks each)
• Maintain a welcoming and diverse work environment
• Basic computer skills required for generating planting layouts and curating germplasm collection
• Ability to operate farm equipment and machinery (tractors, planters, combine)
• Ability to operate a forklift

• Experience pollinating, harvesting and threshing of sorghum

• Learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary, https://bit.ly/3sHGbls
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A Background Check is required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

All university employees are afforded a generous benefits package, https://www.purdue.edu/hr/benewell/index.php, including medical/dental/vision insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions. As part of Purdue University’s expansive employee benefit package, the University is proud to offer its employees the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance by offering a tuition remission opportunity at both Purdue University and Purdue Global.

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