Research Technician

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Job Title:

Research Technician

Department:

FAES | Plant Pathology

The Research Technician will support laboratory, greenhouse, and field-based research focused on plant disease management, biological control, and pathogen diagnostics. This position involves conducting experiments, operating and maintaining research equipment, collecting and analyzing data, and collaborating with researchers, stakeholders, and growers. The technician will also assist in plant disease diagnostics, microbiological and molecular analyses, and maintaining research trials. The role requires frequent travel to research sites, grower fields, and university experimental stations. A valid driver’s license is required, and the candidate must be comfortable driving field research vehicles. Some early morning, late evening, and occasional overnight travel will be required during the growing season.

Duties & Responsibilities:
General:
Field Work Activities:
Perform soil and plant tissue sampling from research plots and commercial fields for pathogen detection and analysis; apply plant pathogen inoculations in research trials, ensuring proper timing (early morning or late evening) to avoid UV degradation; monitor disease development in field trials, rating disease severity and collecting plant health data; scout for fungal, bacterial, oomycete, and viral diseases in vegetable and fruit crops; Assist in field experiment setup, maintenance, and execution, including preparing research plots, planting, and treatment applications; collect and transport field samples to the laboratory for microbiological and molecular analysis; operate and calibrate field equipment, including spray rigs and soil sampling tools.
Laboratory Work Activities:
Conduct microbiological, molecular, biochemical, and serological assays for plant pathogen detection and disease diagnostics (e.g., PCR, ELISA, plating techniques); prepare and maintain culture media, reagents, and plant pathogen cultures for laboratory and greenhouse experiments; operate and maintain specialized laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, PCR machines, and ELISA readers; analyze field samples in the lab, verifying pathogen identity using microscopy and molecular techniques; assist in implementing and documenting new laboratory protocols to ensure compliance with research standards. Maintain detailed laboratory records, ensuring accuracy in sample tracking and research documentation.

Laboratory and Greenhouse Research:

Conduct microbiological, molecular, biochemical, and serological assays for plant pathogen detection and disease diagnosis; prepare and maintain culture media, reagents, and plant pathogen cultures for laboratory and greenhouse experiments; operate and maintain specialized laboratory equipment (e.g., PCR, ELISA, microscopes) for research and diagnostics; perform soil and plant tissue sampling for pathogen detection and analysis; assist in implementing and documenting new or revised laboratory methods to ensure compliance with research protocols; maintain detailed laboratory records, data logs, and research documentation.

Field Research & Trial Management

Assist in the design, setup, and maintenance of field experiments related to plant disease management; apply inoculum to research plots and monitor disease development in vegetable and fruit crops; inoculations with plant pathogens must be conducted early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize UV exposure, which can impact pathogen viability; operate and calibrate spray equipment for experimen