Field Research Technician

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

This temporary position has a term length of 1 year and 1 day.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus and South Campus, Edmonton. Work also takes place at St. Albert Farm and various field locations across Alberta.

The Cropping Systems Research Group, led by Dr. Linda Gorim of AFNS, is seeking a Field Research Technician. The main responsibilities include enabling all field research activities, including organizing logistics, prepping and maintaining equipment, data collection/curation and data analysis, preparation of materials for inclusion in manuscripts, drone operation for field data collection, and assisting with greenhouse work when needed. The position receives guidance and supervision from the Senior Field Research Technician and the Principal Investigator. The position will be responsible for training graduate students and staff on instrument and equipment operation and leading the research team in various procedures in the field and in the lab. The position will also be responsible for coordinating teams of up to 10 people to complete various tasks.

• Assist the Senior Field Research Technician in seeding, maintaining experiments, e.g., trimming plots to the correct size, weeding, seeding pathways, mowing pathways, reseeding missing plots and labeling. The candidate will either do this or train and supervise other staff to perform these duties.

  Harvest research plots using appropriate equipment (e.g., mechanical thresher or self-propelled combine harvester). The candidate will be involved at all stages of harvest operations and will train and supervise staff assisting in these activities.

• Organize the proper drying of plot harvest in cooperation with other research groups using the drying facilities and ensure proper storage of seed in appropriate containers.

• Independently organize and coordinate teams of up to 10 people to ensure appropriate and accurate collection of pre- and post-harvest samples and data (pre-harvest data may include plant count, tiller count, plant height, stomatal conductance, leaf area, days to flowering, days to maturity, etc., and sampling may include biomass assessments. Post-harvest data collection and processing will include, among others, yield measurements, NIR sample analysis, and soil processing for laboratory analysis. The incumbent will train and supervise casual and seasonal staff to assist in performing these activities.

• Train seasonal staff and graduate students in field and laboratory procedures, including but not limited to, seed drill operation, seed counting equipment, germination testing, how to operate plant physiology equipment, dryer operation, seed tray set up, documentation of seed movement, etc. Essentially shows where everything is, how it works, what procedures are used, and validation of physiological and agronomic data coming from the equipment.

• Assist the Senior Field Research Technician with drone operation and data collection from all research plots, i.e., independently plan for data collection at off-station sites across the province. This duty is shared with the Senior Field Research Technician who is responsible for making sure all data is collected from all locations.

• Provide feedback on new and existing field and lab protocols and suggest possible improvements to the Senior Field Research Technician and Principal Investigator.

• Contribute to research output, including preparation of the “Materials and Methods” section for manuscripts, data analysis, and preparation of graphs and tables.

• A BSc in agriculture, biology, or related field is required.
• Minimum of four years experience working in small plot agricultural research.
• Able to operate a drone with understanding of data collection.
• Able to use handheld devices for communications and for field note taking.
• Competence in handling and operating small-plot research equipment (tractors, sprayers, seeders, combine harvesters, and tillage equipment); diagnosing problems and repairing hardware.

Application Instructions

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This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.