Research Assistant I

blocks--linked-image#click keydown.enter->blocks--linked-image#click" data-controller="" data-open-newtab="false" id="page_block_cf27bf613013a16bb9b8b3479a6c3b0c" style="background-image: linear-gradient(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4),rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4)), url(\'https://d25wby5c7p9100.cloudfront.net/public/uploads/076303c451afc01e7f29fc9722841e6f/images/files/7c25c887817236e9209a741f309eaf76/large/Cropped_Spartan_Statue.Jobs.jpg?1727807142\');background-position: 50% 50%" title="">

Research Assistant I

Plant Soil And Microbial Sciences 40000781

Support Staff

Research Assistant I

• East Lansing, Michigan, United States
• Plant Soil And Microbial Sciences 40000781
• Area of Interest: Agriculture
• Area of Interest: Education/Training
• Area of Interest: Information Technology
• Area of Interest: Research/Scientific
• Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (90-100%)
• Group: Administrative Professionals- AP
• Union/Non-Union: Union

Show More Show Less

• Support Staff
• Opening on: Nov 4 2026
• Closing at: Dec 3 2026 - 23:55 EST
• 11
• Salary Commensurate with Experience
• College Of Agriculture And Nat Resources
• 1176069

frame-loader#lazyLoad clinch:authenticated@document->frame-loader#reload" data-controller="frame-loader" data-src="/blocks/jobs/23276e15807aff2927c4e991d9952306/favourites?page_id=dd555d6f9c87051031e7414c316a9a8c" id="23276e15807aff2927c4e991d9952306_favourites" src="https://careers.msu.edu/blocks/jobs/23276e15807aff2927c4e991d9952306/favourites?page_id=dd555d6f9c87051031e7414c316a9a8c">

Add to favorites View favorites

Position Summary

The Wheat Breeding and Genetics program at Michigan State University is seeking a highly motivated and organized Research Assistant I to work as a member of the wheat variety development and research program. This position will support Wheat Research and Variety Development efforts through laboratory, greenhouse, and field-based research. This position's primary role will be as the Greenhouse and Laboratory Manager to serve as the primary coordinator of greenhouse and laboratory operations. Responsibilities will include conducting, coordinating, and implementing laboratory and greenhouse experiments for the wheat breeding program and graduate student studies. Field activities may include assisting with planting and harvest of research plots, data collection, collection of field samples for various studies, etc. Work may involve operation of research tractors, planters and combines. Assisting in oversight of hourly student employees will be required.

Responsibilities

30% Perform and oversee laboratory and greenhouse activities including:

• Laboratory responsibilities
• Overseeing daily operations: Start-up of laboratory equipment, monitoring research experiments, etc.
• Maintaining laboratory equipment and facilities
• Performing tasks such as DNA extraction and quantification, tissue sample collection and processing, collection, maintenance, and inoculation of wheat pathogens, milling seed samples, operating specialized equipment for various research experiments, inventory and ordering of supplies, and maintenance of a seed inventory.
• Leading lab safety: Administering site-specific training, keeping updated chemical and biological inventories, and following all MSU EHS lab manuals, policies, and guidelines.
• Greenhouse responsibilities
• Daily operations: Watering and fertilizing of wheat research experiments, monitoring plant health, scouting, and coordinating with MSU Greenhouse Staff for pest management
• Maintaining a clean environment in wheat greenhouses and growth chambers
• Performing tasks such as tissue sampling, cross-pollination, plant pathogen inoculations, equipment maintenance (irrigation system, pathogen inoculation chambers, growth chambers, etc)

30% Plan and develop lab and greenhouse-based research activities for the winter wheat breeding program and graduate student studies.

• Using the PRISM database and Teams to maintain seed inventory, record experiment data, print greenhouse identification stakes, etc.
• Coordinating all laboratory and greenhouse research activities to ensure proper execution and high-quality results.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and maintenance schedules for all lab and greenhouse activities and equipment.

20% Assist with field research including: collecting field data, inoculation of field disease nurseries, tissue sampling, harvest, and planting.

20% Supervise undergraduate and graduate student employees.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Crop and Soil Sciences, Horticulture, Genetics, Genomics or a related field; one to three years of progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in crop/plant science laboratory and greenhouse research; proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Michigan Commercial Pesticide license is required within six months of hire.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with plant pathogens, research methodologies, and laboratory management
• Two to three years of experience in crop/plant science laboratory and greenhouse research.
• Experience in field, greenhouse and laboratory research techniques
• Experience with operation of field research equipment (threshers, combines, planters, etc.
• Excellent organizational and communications skills - including attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member
• Flexibility to work extended days and weekends during wheat harvest and planting seasons

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter

CV/Resume

Name and contact information for Three(3) professional references

Special Instructions

Inquiries regarding position can be directed to Andy Noble (nobleam1@msu.edu)

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from the date of hire with renewal possible contingent upon funding.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

Summary of Physical Demands

Lifting up to 25lb of the following from floor/waist height (15-30 min)

• GH pots from bench to another bench
• fertilizer/potting soil bags
• boxes of seed from table to cart

Carrying up to 25lb of the following a distance of 20 feet (30 min)

• GH pots from bench to another bench
• Picking up fertilizer/potting soil bags
• Boxes of seed from table to cart

Pushing/Pulling a cart with a load weight of up to 50lbs a maximum distance of 1000 feet over surfaces that may be flat, smooth, or have some bumps(30 Min)

Summary of Health Risks

Drive a university vehicle that does not require a commercial driver's license but does require medical certification:

• VEHICLES:
• Have a gross vehicle weight or weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more but less than 26,001 pounds.
• COMBINATION VEHICLES:
• Having a combined gross vehicle weight or weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds.

Work in noisy (at or above 85 decibels) areas.

Bidding eligibility ends November 10. 2026 at 11:55 P.M.

Apply Now

Not Quite What You\'re Looking For?

Sign Up For Job Alerts

call-to-action--form#submitFormStart turbo:submit-end->call-to-action--form#submitFormEnd" data-call-to-action--form-target="form" data-turbo="true" id="new_form_submission_1_1" method="post">

First Name (required) 042fa49a

Last Name (required) 98ab06b6

Email (required) 4bd0862f

Job Alert 8a94fb74

Finalize your job alert by selecting criteria from the dropdowns below. You can select multiple options from each dropdown by returning to the combobox and re-entering the list of options. Submit at the end to create your job alert.

Departments Plant Soil And Microbial Sciences 40000781

Plant Soil And Microbial Sciences 40000781

Categories Area of Interest: AgricultureArea of Interest: Education/TrainingArea of Interest: Information TechnologyArea of Interest: Research/ScientificFull Time/Part Time: Full Time (90-100%)Group: Administrative Professionals- APUnion/Non-Union: Union

Area of Interest: Agriculture

Area of Interest: Education/Training

Area of Interest: Information Technology

Area of Interest: Research/Scientific

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time (90-100%)

Group: Administrative Professionals- AP

Union/Non-Union: Union

Employment Type Support Staff

Support Staff

Locations East Lansing, Michigan, United States

East Lansing, Michigan, United States

Unit College Of Agriculture And Nat Resources

College Of Agriculture And Nat Resources

By clicking Send, you acknowledge that you are willing to receive SMS messages from Michigan State relating to the status of your application or other recruitment related information to any mobile / cell phone number entered in the form above. You can easily opt-out of receiving SMS messages by replying STOP to any messages you receive.

Send Please wait... Done

Not You?

Thank you

Interested In Other Jobs At MSU?

Check out these other recently posted roles that might be right for you!

Project Manager

East Lansing Physics-Astronomy 10032666

Michigan State University seeks a Project Manager to help deliver the Ultrafast Electron Microscopy Platform for Mesoscale Science and Technology (UEM-MST), a proposed NSF Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1 design and prototyping project, pending final approval. (Bidding eligibility ends November 10, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.)

Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

East Lansing Facility For Rare Isotope Beams 10049299

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) invites applications from outstanding candidates for a fixed-term Postdoctoral Scholar position in the area of Nuclear Theory.

Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

East Lansing Institute For Quantitative Health 40001013

Dr. Jens Schmidt's lab is looking to hire Postdoctoral Scholar to study DNA damage repair using quantitative cell biology approaches. The position will be supported for two years by the MSURF Postdoctoral Scholars program. This program will provide training in research, scientific communication, grantsmanship, and lab management to prepare the scholar for an independent career in academia.

Intern-Fixed Term

East Lansing Mhtss Counseling Psychological Services 40001294

Counseling and Psychological Services at Michigan State University is actively recruiting a Post-Doctoral Resident/Post-Clinical Fellowship to provide clinical services.

Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

East Lansing Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Cns 10032098

A Postdoctoral Scholar position is available in Dr. Polly Hsu's laboratory at Michigan State University to investigate translational regulation in Arabidopsis and crops. Candidates interested in RNA biology and translational regulation are encouraged to apply.

Development Assistant

East Lansing Constituency Program Dir 4 40001269

The Development Assistant will provide administrative and project management support to advance the mission and goals of the Nat Sci Advancement Team, University Advancement and the College of Natural Science. (Bidding eligibility ends November 10, 2026 at 11:55 P.M.)

Already applied? Click here

Apply Now

call-to-action--form#submitFormStart turbo:submit-end->call-to-action--form#submitFormEnd" data-call-to-action--form-target="form" data-turbo="true" id="new_form_submission_2_0" method="post">

First Name (required) 14bbbf75

Last Name (required) 0ccd78f0

Email (required) 65728457

Refer someone to this job

By clicking Send, you acknowledge that you are willing to receive SMS messages from Michigan State relating to the status of your application or other recruitment related information to any mobile / cell phone number entered in the form above. You can easily opt-out of receiving SMS messages by replying STOP to any messages you receive.

Apply Please wait... Done

Not You?

Thank you