"Scientific Assistant - Gang Research Lab"

The Gang Lab in Washington State University's Institute for Biological Chemistry seeks a Scientific Assistant to support several grant-funded projects with specialty crops, including popping beans, a new form of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa). As the Scientific Assistant, you will perform field and laboratory research including the design of research approaches and identifying and defining research problems related to production, sample generation and analysis of popping beans, hemp and other crop species. You will oversee field prep, plot design and planting for the Gang lab field research efforts/involvement in the national variety trials as well as other grant-funded research. You will collect, analyze and interpret research data from field trials and associated lab-based sample analyses, and oversee the efforts of others (part time employees, students, volunteers, etc.) participating on those activities. You will ensure quality control in plant growth efforts, sample collection, sample processing and data generation and make improvement to techniques and interpretation, in consultation with Dr. Gang. You will assist in preparing journal publications and progress reports for grant-funded projects and for the variety trials etc., specifically by generating tables and figures presenting data and generating summaries/descriptions of the results and what those results may mean. You will manage and maintain daily field and laboratory operations associated with the Gang Lab's field-based research efforts and will conduct general field maintenance and routine care of field equipment and research program-associated scientific instrumentation; order supplies, keep inventory records and maintain a safe working environment.

This is a fulltime (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible. Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment. Monthly Salary: $4,050.92 - $5,827.37 | Zone 3, Grade 3.

Required Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master's degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline may be substituted for up to one year of the required work experience. Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver's license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards. Ability to drive university motor pool vehicles for intra-state travel to grower partner and other research lab sites is a necessity. Ability to drive farm equipment (tractor with associated implements for field work) is a necessity.

Preferred Qualifications: At least 5+ experience in crop field research with either common beans or hemp is desired, working with various irrigation systems, including experience in the following areas: evaluating soil moisture levels and adapting irrigation applications in response, evaluating pest pressure (measuring insect levels) and applying appropriate control measures (beneficials, chemicals, organics), working under regulatory compliance for pesticide/chemical applications, and collecting and recording scientific data. Experience growing multiple crop cultivars/varieties as part of a variety trial is highly desired. Experience with different methods for hemp planting (waterwheel-based transplanting, direct seed planters, large-scale seed drills) is desired. Experience with regulatory compliance for hemp/cannabis is desired, such as record keeping, working with state agency regulators, understanding and implementing regulations for plant growth and harvest and processing.

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS). Department Name: Institute of Biological Chemistry | Washington State University (wsu.edu). Location: Prosser, WA.