Job Information
Washington State University Scientific Assistant Senior in Pullman, Washington
Scientific Assistant Senior Available Title(s): 1160-NN_ADMINPRO - Scientific Assistant Senior Business Title: Scientific Assistant Senior Employee Type: Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term) Time Type: Full time Position Term: 12 Month Position Details: Summary of Duties: Perform senior level work in field, greenhouse, and laboratory research related to vegetable pathology/seed pathology in small-seeded vegetable crops in Washington and the greater Pacific Northwest. Identify and define research problems, design experimental approaches/methods, utilize appropriate plant pathology research methods and plant disease inoculations/evaluations. Accurately record and compile data, and complete robust statistical data analyses. Interpret data analyses and summarize results in relevant tables/graphs/reports. Present research in publishable forms. Work effectively independently and as part of the Vegetable Seed Pathology Program. Perform molecular plant pathology laboratory techniques, including molecular identification of plant pathogens. Supervise time-slip employees, and undergraduate and graduate interns; and help advise other staff in the Vegetable Seed Pathology program as well as mentor graduate students and other technical staff at the WSU Mount Vernon NWREC on plant pathology techniques. Assist Postdoctoral Research Associates in the Vegetable Seed Pathology Program. Interact constructively with stakeholders and the WSU Mount Vernon NWREC community. Due to the environment in which the person in this position will be working, the person must be willing to work outdoors under a range of weather conditions, and with a diversity of crops, plant pathogens, arthropod pests, and natural enemies. The person must be willing to travel to field trial sites in Washington, including in central Washington, and occasionally to other states, with overnight stays. The person must be willing to work in conventional and organic agricultural production systems. The person must be willing to work with or in the vicinity of lab and agricultural chemicals for which appropriate safety measures, equipment, and training are provided. Experiment Documentation, Statistical Analyses, Research Publications, and Presentations | 25% Document experimental evidence using various instruments, photographic, and computer resources. Apply appropriate experimental designs in implementing research trials. Analyze and interpret experimental data using relevant statistical analyses and computer software (including SAS and R), and develop graphs, tables, and reports for research publications using relevant software (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, SigmaPlot, and Word). Complete searches of literature, assimilate technical information, prepare drafts of manuscripts for research and extension publications, and fulfill relevant co-author responsibilities. Prepare summaries of research projects for reports and publications (research and Extension), and present results at relevant meetings, field days, and conferences. Laboratory, Greenhouse, and Field Equipment Operation | 25% Operate, calibrate, and maintain relevant plant pathology laboratory equipment and instruments (e.g., autoclaves, balances, centrifuges, electrophoresis units, incubators, laminar flow hoods/biological safety cabinets, microscopes, pH meters, water baths, beadbeaters, molecular laboratory equipment, etc.). Drive tractors and operate other relevant farm and greenhouse equipment; calibrate seeders and drills, irrigation devices, fertilizer injection systems, and other field equipment needed for plant pathology trials. Apply pesticides (fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides) as needed in field and greenhouse environments, and calibrate pesticide applicator equipment. Follow established safe handling procedures when working with chemicals and equipment. Install, use, and maintain dataloggers and spore traps