Position Details Position Information Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25201 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Hannah Uhlmann hannah.uhlmann@montana.edu 406-994-6682 Classification Title Research Professional Working Title Research Associate Brief Position Overview The Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Laboratory is seeking an assistant that will provide genotyping and quality data to MSU Barley Breeding Program as well as to outside stakeholders with a fee for service. The Lab supports the growth of the Craft Malt and Brewing industries and benefits Montana Agricultural constituents as well as the Montana economy. Position Number 4C0675 Department Plant Sciences Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Non-Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $50,000 - $55,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open Position Details General Statement The Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology work has 28 tenure track faculty including plant pathologists, plant breeders, plant physiologists, horticulturalists, entomologists, cereal chemists, and plant molecular biologists. The Department has state-of-the-art laboratory and plant growth facilities. Field research facilities are available both on campus and at seven MAES Research Centers located strategically throughout the state. The Department offers both MS and PhD degrees in Plant Pathology and Plant Science. There are currently 20 thesis MS graduate students and 30 Ph.D. graduate students and more than 150 undergraduate students in the Department. https://plantsciences.montana.edu Duties and Responsibilities The assistant will directly support the Barley Quality Lab Director by managing daily tasks, including: + Laboratory cleanliness and maintenance; + Sample preparation and organization; + Malting of barley lines; + Quality testing analysis, including operation of various pieces of equipment, such as NIR analyzer, CLP malters, Buhler disk mill, Pfeuffer friabilimeter, IEC mash bath, Anton Parr density meter, UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, and Fisher Scientific Gallery analyzer; + Data collection, organization, maintenance, analysis and reporting including the upkeep of Quality Control logs; The assistant will also: + Oversee genotyping; + Aid in greenhouse, field and seed preparation when necessary; + Support research, including project development and novel idea generation as well as supervising and empowering undergraduate and graduate level research projects; + Uphold lab safety protocols; + Interact with the public through lab tours and present findings at industry meetings and conferences. Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills + Master’s in plant science, molecular genetics, food or malt quality analysis or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. + Experience generating and managing data. + Experience with genetic markers. + Laboratory research experience. Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills + Agricultural experience. + Experience in malt quality and/or food quality analysis. + Experience in managing a greenhouse. The Successful Candidate Will + Attention to detail. + Work both independently and collaboratively with co-workers. + Effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. + Organizational and time management skills. + Flexibility adapting to evolving lab needs. + Follow food safety and cleanliness requirements + Follow all university rules and policies. + Experience requiring organizational skills Position Special Requirements/Additional Information + This position is not eligible for sponsorship. This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This position has supervisory duties? Yes Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be: Screening of applications will begin on December 20, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Special Instructions EEO Statement Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.