Scientific Assistant

Title:

1161-NN - Scientific Assistant

Business Title:

Scientific Assistant

Location:

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Job Family:

Administrative Professional - Not OT Eligible

Position Details:

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

In accordance with Washington State Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.1, as a condition of employment, all WSU employees must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation no later than October 18, 2021. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series. Vaccine or an approved accommodation for new employees will be verified no later than October 18, 2021. If the effective date of appointment is October 18, 2021 or later vaccine or approved accommodation status will be verified prior to first day of employment. Please reach out to Human Resource Services (HRS) at [email protected] or 509-335-4521 if you have questions regarding this.
 

Summary of Duties:

Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a highly motivated Scientific Assistant to develop high throughput insect diagnostic protocols for detecting prominent insect-vectored pathogens targeting vegetable and seed crops in the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon. The successful candidate will be working at the USDA-ARS Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit (TTFVRU) located in Wapato, Washington, and will work as part of a region-wide team of entomologists, pathologists, extension specialists and economists. This position will carry out molecular diagnostics procedures to identify pathogens in specific insect vector populations collected from vegetable and seed crops across the Columbia Basin. The Scientific Assistant is expected to work independently to manage duties and tasks outlined in the project. Duties consist of performing routine nucleic acid extraction procedures, polymerase chain reaction analyses, insect barcoding analyses, and optimizing and developing new tools to improve upon the current pathogen testing protocols to develop high throughput processes. This incumbent is expected to work with and/or train research technicians to complete specimen testing in a timely manner and will work with a larger region-wide team to ultimately improve insect monitoring tools in this region and expand decision support services. The successful candidate has the possibility to attend professional and stakeholder meetings to present their research results and summarize results for dissemination through peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts and extension publications.
 

Required Qualifications:

• Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required work experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Strong demonstrated background in molecular biology and insect vector biology/plant pathology.
• Demonstrate full attention to details, excellent record keeping and ability to manage a molecular laboratory.
• Must be exceptionally self-motivated, have excellent organizational, interpersonal and oral/written communication skills.
• Must have, or able to obtain, a valid driver’s license by time of hire. 

Additional Information:

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Department Name: Department of Entomology
City, State, Zip: Pullman, WA 99164
Department Link: https://entomology.wsu.edu/
Monthly Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
FTE: 100%
Permanent/Temporary/Project: Temporary
Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position expected to end on 10/15/2022. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check.

Screening date: This position has been reposted and screening of applicants will begin immediately until the position has been filled.
Applicant Instructions: Applicants must attach the following documents to their online application: 1) resume and 2) cover letter. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements. Applicants are required to include contact information for professional references within the application 
Required Documents: Resume and Cover Letter

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected] .

Title:

1161-NN - Scientific Assistant

Business Title:

Scientific Assistant

Location:

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Job Family:

Administrative Professional - Not OT Eligible

Position Details:

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

In accordance with Washington State Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.1, as a condition of employment, all WSU employees must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical/religious accommodation no later than October 18, 2021. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their last shot in a vaccine series. Vaccine or an approved accommodation for new employees will be verified no later than October 18, 2021. If the effective date of appointment is October 18, 2021 or later vaccine or approved accommodation status will be verified prior to first day of employment. Please reach out to Human Resource Services (HRS) at [email protected] or 509-335-4521 if you have questions regarding this.
 

Summary of Duties:

Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a highly motivated Scientific Assistant to develop high throughput insect diagnostic protocols for detecting prominent insect-vectored pathogens targeting vegetable and seed crops in the Columbia Basin of Washington and Oregon. The successful candidate will be working at the USDA-ARS Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit (TTFVRU) located in Wapato, Washington, and will work as part of a region-wide team of entomologists, pathologists, extension specialists and economists. This position will carry out molecular diagnostics procedures to identify pathogens in specific insect vector populations collected from vegetable and seed crops across the Columbia Basin. The Scientific Assistant is expected to work independently to manage duties and tasks outlined in the project. Duties consist of performing routine nucleic acid extraction procedures, polymerase chain reaction analyses, insect barcoding analyses, and optimizing and developing new tools to improve upon the current pathogen testing protocols to develop high throughput processes. This incumbent is expected to work with and/or train research technicians to complete specimen testing in a timely manner and will work with a larger region-wide team to ultimately improve insect monitoring tools in this region and expand decision support services. The successful candidate has the possibility to attend professional and stakeholder meetings to present their research results and summarize results for dissemination through peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts and extension publications.
 

Required Qualifications:

• Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required work experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Strong demonstrated background in molecular biology and insect vector biology/plant pathology.
• Demonstrate full attention to details, excellent record keeping and ability to manage a molecular laboratory.
• Must be exceptionally self-motivated, have excellent organizational, interpersonal and oral/written communication skills.
• Must have, or able to obtain, a valid driver’s license by time of hire. 

Additional Information:

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Department Name: Department of Entomology
City, State, Zip: Pullman, WA 99164
Department Link: https://entomology.wsu.edu/
Monthly Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
FTE: 100%
Permanent/Temporary/Project: Temporary
Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position expected to end on 10/15/2022. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check.

Screening date: This position has been reposted and screening of applicants will begin immediately until the position has been filled.
Applicant Instructions: Applicants must attach the following documents to their online application: 1) resume and 2) cover letter. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements. Applicants are required to include contact information for professional references within the application 
Required Documents: Resume and Cover Letter

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected] .