Research Assistant - Horticultural

Research Assistant - Horticultural

Company: North Carolina State University

Job Location:

Category: Laboratory and Research

Type: Full-Time

Join the Pack! A community with nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, and 30,000 students. NC State is one of the largest employers in North Carolina, offering a large range of career opportunities. Visit us at https://jobs.hr.ncsu.edu/.

Location: Mills River, NC

Essential Job Duties:
We are seeking a motivated and hands-on Research Assistant to join an innovative, multi-state research team working on a US Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture's, Specialty Crops Research Initiative: Labor, Efficiency, Automation, and Production (LEAP) Nursery Crops Towards Sustainability, Coordinated Agriculture Project Award 2024-51181-43291. This role is time limited and ends August 31, 2029, and focuses on evaluating a cutting-edge terrestrial laser-based inventory system (TALI) designed to advance labor efficiency and sustainability in nursery crop production.

If you enjoy a mix of fieldwork, technology, data analysis, and collaboration with industry partners, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful, real-world agricultural research.

What You'll Do

In this role, you'll be an integral part of both the planning and execution of applied research activities. You'll work across research sites and directly with growers to help bring innovative solutions into practice.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and implementing field and container-based research trials in nursery production systems
• Assisting with experimental design, and leading data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Collaborating with researchers, extension specialists, and growers across multiple locations
• Supporting the communication and dissemination of research findings through presentations and reports

Day-to-Day Activities

Your work will be dynamic and varied, including:

• Setting up and managing experiments involving cultural practices in ornamental plant production
• Conducting fieldwork at research stations and commercial nurseries throughout the southeastern U.S.
• Using advanced technologies such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to measure and analyze plant materials
• Working with software and electronic systems, including basic troubleshooting and minor equipment repairs
• Managing and analyzing horticultural inventory data using both manual and digital tools (LiDAR)
• Supporting research related to shade and flowering tree production
• Building strong working relationships with project collaborators, growers, and stakeholders
• Preparing posters and presenting findings at conferences, trade shows, and educational events

What Makes This Role Exciting

• Be part of a forward-thinking project integrating automation and agriculture
• Gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies in plant production
• Work directly with industry partners and see research applied in real-world settings
• Travel to varied research sites and nurseries across the southeastern U.S. (with occasional overnight trips and potential travel to other regions)

Other Work/Responsibilities:

• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Minimum Experience/Education:

• Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree (Master of Science, thesis or non-thesis option) (Horticultural Science or closely related agriculture field, Engineering also eligible), or relevant Bachelor's degree plus 3 or more years of independent research experience, or substantive relevant independent experience and education.

Required Qualifications:

• Some software programming skills and experience with remote sensing instruments in agriculture
• Familiarity with agriculture internet of things, on-farm network design and construction, remote data retrieval, system problem solving

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master of Science in Horticulture is preferred. A Bachelor of Science degree is only eligible with a required 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in horticulture, agronomy, etc.

Required License or Certification:

• Valid driver's license.

AA/EEO Statement:
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.