Plant Research Associate Full Time

Summary: We are seeking an innovative, organized, and dependable Plant Reseach Associate to join our growing team at the Open Agriculture Foundation. OpenAg builds open access digital resources to enable a global community to accelerate innovation and education in agriculture. To help us achieve our mission, the ideal candidate must be a strong problem-solver with a proven plant science background focused in hydroponic horticulture or other commercial/academic horticulture methods to perform research experiments within our food computer platforms.They will be part of a group that grows a wide array of plants and then evaluates new technologies and approaches for controlled environmental agriculture, likely within hydroponic systems or other controlled environments. Working with a team of engineers and other scientists, they will test and refine custom environmental growth chambers for plant research and generate experimental data for publications.

This position is not for the faint of heart but is ideal for someone that enjoys a fast-paced and dynamic work environment

Job Description / Core Responsibilities

Applying technical knowledge, practical skills, and problem-solving in horticulture/agriculture to execute laboratory projects that support the overall research goals of the Open Agriculture Foundation
Operating hydroponic or other controlled environment agriculture systems
Germinating, planting, and maintaining a high volume of a wide variety of horticultural specimens
Consulting with supervisor and other research staff on priorities and methods
Operating and maintaining laboratory equipment to complete investigations
Preparing, ordering, and maintaining stocks of necessary reagents, solutions and supplies
Documenting, compiling, and analyzing experimental data.
Must be an exceptional team player
Must possess a high level of initiative and the ability to work with little supervision.
Attends team meetings to share results, plan projects and experiments
Prepares scientific manuscripts for publication
Other related tasks as required
Education: Master’s degree or higher in horticulture, agriculture, plant science, or a similar technical field with proven experience solving horticultural issues (pests, diseases, other growth issues), working in a research setting, and preparing academic manuscripts.

Training/Experience:

Applying technical knowledge and practical skills in Horticulture, Agriculture, and Plant Science.
Experience in plant maintenance, measurement tools, and protocols.
Experience with agricultural/horticultural experimental design.
Experience with hydroponic growing systems or other controlled-environment systems.
Independence and carefulness in executing duties
Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills, including the ability to handle a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment, and attention to detail are required.
Preferred Experience:

Hydroponics systems
Problem-solving within commercial/academic horticulture operations
Controlled Environment Agriculture experience
Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk, and hear; uses hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms as in physically picking up files, papers and other common office objects. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds such as files, books, supplies, etc. Vision and hearing at or correctable to normal ranges.

Additional Requirements: Willingness to travel and have a flexible schedule with some evening and weekend hours as required

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

The Open Agriculture Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $50,000.00 to $60,000.00 /year

Experience:

hydroponic (preferable) or other controlled environment: 2 years (Required)
Education:

Master’s (Preferred)
Location:

Middleton, MA (Required)
Required travel:

25% (Preferred)
Benefits:

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
This Job Is Ideal for Someone Who Is:

People-oriented — enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
Adaptable/flexible — enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction
Autonomous/Independent — enjoys working with little direction
Innovative — prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity
Schedule:

Monday to Friday