Dairy Research Technician

Description of Work:

As the Dairy Research Technician, you will:

• Assist Dairy Unit Manager with coordinating research activities of graduate and undergraduate students in dairy cattle nutrition as well as managing dairy research and facilities in the Animal Science Complex on UNL's East Campus.
• Be responsible for the care, feeding, and milking of dairy cattle in strict compliance with research requirements.
• Ensure the maintenance of feeding and milking equipment and cleanliness and maintenance of facilities.
• Serve as the unit expert on fabrication, utilization, and maintenance of indirect calorimeters used to measure methane and other gas production in cattle.
• Collect and organize data from research instruments, inventory and health records, weighing animals, calculating feed intakes, and performing blood, tissue, and rumen fluid collections.
• Perform other duties as needed such as artificial insemination, record keeping for heat detection and breeding, assisting with birthing process.

In the UNL system, this position is categorized as an Ag Research Technician III.

About Us

At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, we're proud to be consistently recognized by Forbes as a top employer and recently earned the Lincoln Family Friendly Workplace certification. We are known for our welcoming, supportive environment, commitment to professional growth, and outstanding benefits. UNL isn't just a workplace; it's a place to build your career and make a meaningful impact in Nebraska.

When you join our team as a full-time, regular staff member, you'll enjoy:

• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, parental leave, and holidays
• Comprehensive insurance options including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage
• Employee and dependent scholarship programs to pursue higher education
• Retirement plans with university match

Learn more about working at UNL: https://go.unl.edu/aboutus

*The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://go.unl.edu/nondiscrimination

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Any combination totaling five years of post-high school experience and education related to the duties of the position, such as:
  • Bachelor's degree in animal science, agriculture, or related field plus one year of experience working with dairy cattle, OR
  • Associate degree in agriculture or related field plus three years of experience working with dairy cattle, OR
  • High school diploma plus five years of experience working with dairy cattle.
• Experience working with dairy cattle including care, feeding milking, health monitoring and performing health treatment interventions.
• Research and farm equipment maintenance including welding, soldering, and basic electronics.
• Driver's license and ability to meet University driver eligibility criteria.

Preferred Qualifications:

The following qualifications are preferred but not required:

• Artificial insemination experience.
• Experience performing blood, tissue, and rumen fluid collections.