Associate in Research

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

June 8, 2025

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

321-YN_FACULTY - Associate in

Business Title:

Associate in Research

Employee Type:

Faculty (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties: The incumbent will design and conduct research experiments in the apple and pear orchards, as well as laboratory settings, with a focus on rootstocks, endodormancy, pollination and overall orchard management. This position involves performing professional-level scientific research using advanced knowledge and technical skills. Responsibilities include planning field and laboratory experiments aligned with seasonal and phenological cycles, executing established research protocols, developing or refining methodologies to meet research objectives. A thorough understanding of the scientific method, experimental design, and data analysis is essential. The incumbent will coordinate activities with other laboratory team members, collaborators, and stakeholders, and will supervise other project staff as needed. Duties also include collecting, processing, and analyzing field and laboratory data; managing logistics related to data collection; preparing project reports; and contributing to manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals or presentations at scientific conferences. This role requires performing general maintenance of field or laboratory equipment and working closely with the Principal Investigator and stakeholders to coordinate field work, resolve issues respond to inquiries and communicate research outcomes. Additional responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, creating and editing figures to illustrate complex scientific concepts, supporting the preparation of project deliverables, and disseminating findings through presentations, publications, newsletters, websites and other digital platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities:

75% (E) Research

• Plan, design and implement field and laboratory experiments on crop phenology and seasonal requirements.

• Execute established research protocols and develop or refine methodologies as necessary to achieve research objectives.

• Supervise research personnel, coordinate activities across teams, and facilitate collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

• Collect, process, and analyze field and laboratory data; ensure data integrity and manage associated logistics.

• Prepare technical reports, contribute to and lead the development of peer-reviewed manuscripts, and present research findings at scientific meetings and stakeholder events.

• Conduct routine maintenance and troubleshooting of field and laboratory equipment.

• Perform literature reviews and generate visual materials such as figures and charts to support data interpretation and reporting.

• Develop and edit content for digital communication platforms, including project websites and newsletters.

• Serve as a liaison between the research team, Principal Investigator, and stakeholders to communicate project status, resolve issues, and ensure timely dissemination of results.

10% (E) Supervision

• The project manager will be responsible to supervise other project employees.

10% (E) Writing and Presenting

• The successful candidate will write up findings for project reports and peer-reviewed journals, present the project’s results to industry/stakeholder audiences and scientific peers, and contribute to existing outreach platforms such as WSU Tree Fruit ((http://treefruit.wsu.edu/).

5% Other duties as assigned

• Miscellaneous duties related to administrative paperwork such as internal expenses reconciliation and invoicing.

• Purchasing material necessary for running trials and foresee research group needs ahead of time.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proven ability to manage multiple complex issues simultaneously and resolve them in a timely and effective manner.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated leadership skills, with the ability to clearly communicate daily objectives, delegate tasks, and guide teams toward defined goals.

• Demonstrated experience analyzing complex issues, conducting thorough and appropriate fact-finding, reasoning logically, and articulating sound solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to