"CALS- Technician III- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section- School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS)"

Technician III

The Opportunity

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

About the College

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world's complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Department Statement

The position is housed in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Pathology and Plant Microbe Biology Section, within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University. The section supports research, teaching, and extension programs focused on plant diseases, plant associated microbes, and disease management in agricultural systems relevant to New York State and beyond.

Function Statement

The Field Crops Pathology program conducts research on diseases of field crops, including corn, grain and silage, soybean, small grains, and alfalfa, with emphasis on soilborne and foliar pathogens affecting crop productivity and resilience. These crops support rural economies and serve as foundational inputs for livestock feed systems and biofuel production. Research activities span laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber, and field settings and integrate pathogen biology, host resistance, and diagnostic development. The program supports graduate training and engages with growers, extension educators, and stakeholders through applied research and extension.

This position provides technical support essential for maintaining year-round research activities that depend on continuous plant care, plant pathogen handling, and coordinated field and greenhouse experiments.

What We Need

The Technician III will be part of the senior staff in the Field Crops Pathology program along with other technical staff and the PI. The Technician III will be mainly responsible for performing laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber, and field research with diseases of field crops, particularly corn, soybean, small grains, and alfalfa. The position involves year round research activities and requires regular field work during the growing season.

For laboratory activities, the Technician III will collaborate with lab personnel to obtain and maintain plant pathogen isolates, phenotype or genotype plant pathogens, and prepare and maintain inoculum as needed for experiments. The technician will routinely perform microbiological and molecular biology tasks as required for ongoing projects.

For greenhouse and field activities, the Technician III will collaborate with greenhouse personnel, research farm staff, extension educators, grower cooperators, and private company cooperators to perform greenhouse and field experiments that evaluate disease development, host resistance, and disease management practices. Responsibilities include independently securing space for trials, planting, inoculating, rating disease, applying fungicides according to experimental protocols, maintaining application records, and harvesting plant material as needed.

For all activities, the Technician III will collect and organize data, assist with data analysis, and contribute to preparation of reports and extension or research outputs. The technician will also assist with a range of tasks related to laboratory and field program management, including training and supervision of student employees, maintaining laboratory safety compliance, purchasing and inventory management, and routine maintenance of equipment.

This is a full-time, nonexempt staff position that requires on-site presence and the ability to work independently across laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments.

This is a full-time position at 97.5% FTE. This is a one-year term appointment that is contingent upon available work, funding, and performance.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

The Technician III works collaboratively with faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, undergraduate students, greenhouse managers, and research farm personnel to support laboratory, greenhouse, growth chamber, and field research activities. The position coordinates regularly with Cornell research farms and shared facilities to schedule space, maintain experimental timelines, and ensure proper care of plants and research materials. The technician also interacts with extension educators, growers, and external cooperators in support of applied research and extension activities.

Successful performance in this position requires the ability to work independently while following established research protocols and safety procedures. The Technician III must maintain consistent attention to plant health, experimental detail, and data quality across laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments. Clear communication with supervisors, collaborators, and student employees is essential to ensure continuity of experiments and safe operation of research activities. The position requires reliability, organization, and the ability to manage multiple tasks across seasonal research demands.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate's degree and up to 2 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination in plant biology, plant pathology, agronomy, crop science, or a related field.
• Prior experience working with plants and or plant pathogens in laboratory, greenhouse, or field settings, including routine plant care and handling of biological materials.
• Prior knowledge of laboratory, greenhouse, and field safety protocols, including proper handling and disposal of biological and chemical materials.
• Experience following established research protocols and maintaining accurate records for experiments and trials.
• Ability to work independently across laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments and manage multiple tasks across seasonal research demands.
• Experience with Microsoft office suite - including Word, PowerPoint and Excel and familiarity with google drive.
• Ability to communicate verbally and written with faculty, staff and students.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including lifting up to 50 pounds and working outdoors in variable weather conditions.
• Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted NYS driver's license and be cleared to drive for university business.
• Possession of a New York State certified commercial pesticide applicator technician license, or ability to obtain and maintain the license within a defined period after hire as a condition of continued employment.
• Experience working directly with people from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities.
• Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with pathogens of field crops in laboratory greenhouse, and field settings.
• Experience applying fungicides for greenhouse or field experiments, including use of backpack or plot scale sprayers.
• Experience with ARM or similar software used to manage agricultural research experiments and field trials.
• Experience in data analysis using standard biological or agricultural research software.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, and qPCR.
• Experience managing field trials, including planting, inoculating, rating disease, and harvesting plant material.
• Experience training and supervising other laboratory or field personnel.
• Experience working with growers, extension educators, and research cooperators.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

***Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.***

University Job Title: Technician III

Job Family: Technical

Level: C

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Pay Range: $24.31 - $26.87