Senior Research Associate - East TN AgResearch & Educaton Center - Little River Unit (Walland, TN) (UTIA)

Description

 

Senior Research Associate - East TN AgResearch & Education Center – Little River Unit
Walland, TN
Regular Full-time, Market Range 11

SUMMARY: The Little River Unit (LRU) is one of six units that comprise the East TN AgResearch and Education Center (ETREC). This unit consists of 530 acres and includes a research dairy herd of more than 300 dairy cattle. The position serves under the general supervision of the Research Unit Manager. This position leads in the planning and feasibility assessment of research projects and will direct faculty researchers in the implementation of studies, including record-keeping, collection and interpretation of data, and training of designated unit personnel. The position will be responsible for upkeep and proper function of specialized research equipment, including state-of-art robotic milking systems and automated feeding systems. The position will also be responsible for overall research herd health and record keeping, as well as the research outcomes of research projects. Additional information about the ETREC can be found at http://east.tennessee.edu.

Qualifications

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Will design and lead implementation of applied research projects to support local dairy industry and associations.
• Serve as subject matter expert in setting up experimental design and protocols for research projects.
• Identifies issues in research dairy herd management then conceptualizes projects to find solutions.
• Independently collects, analyzes and reports data to Research Center Leadership, stakeholder groups, and UTIA faculty to promote land grant mission.
• Preparing and executing research protocols while working with other project leader(s) to design a research protocol.
• Exercises autonomy regarding research herd and projects in consultation with faculty.
• Compiles, analyzes, and acts upon records related to research, farm operations, research equipment, supplies, to support ongoing projects etc.
• Records Individual Animal Records: date, treatment, location, feed, other applications to drive research project decisions and data collection.
• Acts as primary contact for faculty, OLAC, IACUC, and OSP regarding Little River Unit herd.
• Oversees advanced management plan including care, feeding, management of research dairy herd, decisions regarding research objectives, regulatory considerations, and animal welfare.
• Manages heifers, lactating animals, and beef/dairy crosses for funded research projects, making daily decisions to complete research objectives while maintaining regulatory compliance and healthy animals.
• Chooses reproduction methodologies of research herd, including breeding protocols program to ensure research completion.
• Leads efforts to improve pasture and crop quality including fertility, pest management, and rotational practices
• Works alongside farm manager on implementation of research herd health program.
• Position will direct and oversee research herd caretakers as they complete tasks associated with work listed above
• Must be able to work flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and must be available to be on-call after hours
• Operates general-purpose and specialized farm and/or research equipment
• Perform other duties as instructed by the station director

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Required:
  • B.S. Degree in Animal Science, Vet Medicine, or related field plus four years of experience in dairy agricultural research and/or production operations involving dairy operations. Eight years' experience (in lieu of degree) in dairy agricultural research and/or production operations involving dairy operations. Working knowledge of advanced robotic milking systems, automatic feeding systems, and other precision livestock technologies and equipment.
  • Advanced knowledge of agricultural research operations, techniques/procedures, and equipment including robotic milking systems, automated precision feeding equipment, and other robotic and automated systems.
  • Advanced knowledge of PCDART Dairy Management Software or comparable system.
  • Ability to record and prepare reports related to research projects, livestock care, crops, and equipment.
  • Ability to assist with multiple faculty-driven research projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to learn IACUC regulatory standards and comply with them.
  • Knowledge of dairy animals, cow/calf care, and advanced animal nutrition.
  • Ability to help ensure that facility procedures and operations are conducted in an environmentally-sound manner.
  • Ability to occasionally perform agricultural/physical labor in inclement weather conditions.
  • Maintaining up-to-date computer skills are a necessary performance to these functions.
  • Ability to lift >50 lbs.
• Preferred:
  • Master's Degree in Animal Science, Vet Medicine, or related field plus 2 years' of experience in dairy agricultural research and/or production operations involving dairy operations.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

• Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits include group health and life insurance; state employee or optional retirement plans; workers' compensation; annual and sick leave, longevity pay, and more.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

• January 12, 2024. Screening of applicants' credentials will begin Jan 19, 2024, and may continue until the position is filled. TO APPLY: Interested candidates must complete an online application https://hr.utk.edu/staffpositions

Job
  Research Professional 
Primary Location
  US-Tennessee-knoxville 
Organization
  Rec-East Tn Research & Educ Ctr 
Schedule
  Full-time 
Campus/Institute  Institute of Agriculture 
Job Posting
  Jan 12, 2024, 9:14:00 AM