Scientific Research Specialist job opening

The Scientific Research Assistant, based at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm, will be responsible for assisting with research projects in support of the tree fruit program led by Dr. Renae Moran. This is a 4-year, grant-funded (USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative) position to study cold hardiness in apple trees. As time allows, this position will also work in other research areas including peach variety evaluation and cold hardiness, vegetable production trials and Honeycrisp apple storage practices.

Highmoor Farm is located at 52 US Route 202 in Monmouth, which is 16 miles west of Augusta, ME. Normal Highmoor Farm business hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The employee shall establish regular office hours and in consultation with the supervisor may adjust the work schedule as appropriate.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Conduct field and lab experiments to measure cold hardiness in apple and peach trees from fall through spring of each year which involves collecting shoots from orchards, operating a programmable freezer, taking measurements of winter injury and accurate data entry.
  • Assist with other field research by monitoring fruit ripening, harvesting for yield measurement, monitoring cold storage rooms, measuring fruit quality and internal fruit defects.
  • Conduct peach breeding activities such as cross pollinations, seed collection and cleaning, seed germination and transplanting.
  • Assist with vegetable trials by planting, weeding, harvesting, weighing produce and data collection.
  • Perform cultural practices of apple and peach research orchards, such as pruning, fruit thinning, planting trees and harvesting fruit as part of research projects.
  • Coordinating and supervising student workers as necessary.
  • Teaching and training student workers regarding processes, safe operating procedures, and use of equipment.
  • The ability to work outdoors. Work will be based in Monmouth Maine, with some possible travel to nearby orchards and to the UMaine campus in Orono.
  • Coordinate and conduct safety training and updating safety documentation.

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in field related to area of research (Horticulture, Forestry, Botany, Biology) or equivalent experience and one year of related work experience.
  • A valid Maine driver’s license.
  • Ability to work in the field, greenhouse and laboratory under sometimes difficult conditions due to warm or cold weather.
  • Ability to conduct detailed, but routine and repetitive research tasks, e.g. collecting shoots or other research specimens, measuring winter injury in shoots and flower buds, weighing produce, evaluating produce quality, etc.
  • Ability to learn research procedures and techniques and to conduct them correctly.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and work constructively as part of a team.
  • The ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to use common applications including Word and Excel. The ability to accurately record and maintain datasets.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with fruit and vegetable production.

 

Materials must be submitted via “Apply For Position” below. You will need to create a profile and application to upload:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position

2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

3.) contact information for three professional references.

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

To view the job posting and apply, click on Scientific Research Specialist CL1 at Highmoor Farm.

For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Renae Moran at rmoran@maine.edu or 207-713-7083.