Research Lab Technician - Viticulture and Enology

Major/Essential Functions

Primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, operate and maintain research vineyards and enology laboratory, plan, organize, facilitate, and implement operating procedures for conducting collaborative research with the Viticulture and Enology research group, order supplies, schedule equipment maintenance, and implement operational procedures, perform highly skilled duties in coordination and completion of projects in vineyards and enology research lab. In addition, the incumbent will likely supervise student workers and assist graduate students and research scientists’ complete viticulture and enology research endeavors. Furthermore, the incumbent will maintain direct safety and compliance practices for the Viticulture and Enology research group.

• General management and maintenance of research vineyards; operate vineyard equipment (hand tools, tractor, mechanized farm equipment, etc.), scout vineyard (pests, insects, diseases, weeds, and other production issues), pesticide application and record keeping, irrigation scheduling and monitoring, maintenance of vineyard equipment and irrigation system
• General management and maintenance of the Viticulture and Enology Research Laboratory; operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, record keeping for all aspects of laboratory operations
• Plan, organize, and implement multi-unit collaborative research withing the Department of Plant and Soil Science Viticulture and Enology group; conduct field and laboratory experiments under direct of project leaders, engage and organize research, data collection, work alongside students, post docs and visiting scholars.
• Purchase vineyard and laboratory supplies
• Travel to research and experimental sites
• Interact and communicate with grape growers and industry stakeholders
• Serve as safety captain for Viticulture and Enology research group.
• Other duties as assigned

• Master’s degree with an emphasis in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry/engineering, toxicology, soil science, natural resources or environmental sciences, geoscience and/or equivalent work experience by start date.
• Prior laboratory experience through work or education.
• Master’s degree with experience in soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil physics, and/or pedology.
• Candidates with previous laboratory experience in dealing with analytical laboratory maintenance and operation, including ICP-OES/MS, XRF, GC, IC, CNS analysis, and determination of hydro-physical properties.
• Experience conducting fieldwork including experience with gas flux measurements, soil sampling, soil descriptions, infiltrometry, and/or sensor deployment/maintenance.
• Evidence of ability to independently maintain equipment in different laboratories and ability to manage, plan, execute, operate and supervise minor fixes to equipment to ensure successful implementation of research objectives.
• Evidence of proven data analysis skills (e.g., trouble shooting), data maintenance, and data management.
• Self-motivated, with excellent written and oral communication skills, management and organization skills, and the ability to work both individually and with a dynamic team of fellow researchers, while maintaining positive and effective work relationships.