Michigan Ag Research - Plant Patholology Field Biologist

Job Description:

Michigan Ag Research, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ag Metrics Group, is seeking an enthusiastic team member as a Field Biologist to work with Midwestern crops out of the Albion, Michigan facility.

A successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary program focused on scientific investigations in crop protection, sustainable farming methods, and the development of new agricultural products for a diverse clientele. The position is an agricultural field biologist position, not a lab position. Candidates with field research experience will be given preference.

Responsibilities:

Conduct field/greenhouse trials as well as laboratory assays to characterize crop protection products for the control of crop pests, focusing especially foliar, soil, and seed-applied treatments. Crops to include field, fruit, greenhouse, and vegetable crops of the Mid-Western United States and Southeast Canada.

• Assist in applying experimental and commercial compounds to target crops.
• Isolate and develop an inventory of common plant pathogens.
• Characterize efficacy, product characteristics, and crop safety of test materials following treatment.
• Lead data collection, review of trial research, and interpretation of results in technical reports.
• Manage scheduling and conduct of daily trial assessments working in coordination with other staff biologists.
• Timely and organized data management from collection through reporting. Maintenance of site records for trial conditions.
• Manage local field and equipment records as needed for any regulated research (with appropriate training provided).
• Attend continuing education training for professional development and licensing requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Degree in the field of horticulture, plant pathology, crop protection, agriculture, or related disciplinary sciences.
• Basic working knowledge of experiment design and field trial management.
• Willing to routinely handle and apply chemicals and other crop protectants safely and in complete accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Ability to work independently as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to work in field, greenhouse, and lab environments.
• Able to do physical work common to the establishment, harvest of plots that includes lifting, open fieldwork under warm daytime temperatures, and expect overtime schedules during peak season.

Equipment skills:

• Scales, boom sprayers, tillage, common hand tools, microscope, pipettes.
• Computer skills: MS-Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Valid driver's license and MI Pesticide Applicators License (within 6 months of hire).

Desired:

• MS with at least 1-year relevant experience.
• Experience in fungal and bacterial isolation and storage.
• Educational focus on field pest management, research management tools, course work in entomology, IPM, plant pathology, nematology, crop production, and statistics, experimental design, and analysis of results.
• Previous experience in crop pest management and chemical pesticide efficacy research in the field, greenhouse, and lab; and preparation of formal written research reports/presentations.
• Knowledge and/or experience in soil pest biology and research.
• Knowledge and/or experience in vegetable and/or fruit diseases.

Compensation:

• Company offers Medical and Dental Insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, 401K and Profit-Sharing, paid travel for professional training and meetings, and other benefits.
• Pay commensurate with experience and skills.

In addition to a resume, please provide a cover letter that explains why you are uniquely qualified and are the best candidate to be considered for this Michigan position to Brian Cortright, Midwest Area Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
All customers and employees must wear mask indoors. Common surfaces are sanitized regularly.

Experience:

• Farming: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location