What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Assistant position at Beck's Superior Hybrids?
This is a part time position in the Research Department. The main responsibility for this job will be carrying out daily processes as required in the research department. Employees at the Research Assistant level report to the assigned manager on a day to day basis.
Hours will fluctuate based on the season. There will be full time hours in some seasons and less hours in others. We are happy to explain these hours through an interview process.
Responsibilities
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Seed Preparation
- Assist with sorting and processing test crosses and nursery material.
- Assist with packaging seed for planting in test plots
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Planting of mini-strip and replicated plots
- Assist with planting nurseries, isolated crossing blocks, and yield trials as needed.
- Assist with shipping seed to outlying testing locations.
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Summer Nursery
- Assist with pollinating Beck’s summer corn breeding nursery.
- Assist with detasseling Beck’s summer isolated crossing blocks and foundation seed fields.
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Data Collection
- Assist with staking plots and collecting data such as low stand counts, agronomic disease ratings, and physical characteristics such as plant heights, ear heights, etc.
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Plot harvest
- Collect fall agronomic notes (standability, plant integrity, etc.)
- Assist with leading crews to pick, haul, and dry test cross seed
- Assist with husk and sort activities at Beck’s Foundation Seed Facility
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Greenhouse
- Assist with filling pots with soil
- Assist with clearing plant refuse to prepare for subsequent plantings
- General facility cleaning
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Labs
- Assist with laboratory process for example DNA extraction
- Hand pipetting
- Glass ware cleaning
- Other duties as required by the assigned manager
Job Requirements
1. Education and training:
- Successful completion of Beck’s safety training program
- This is a safety-sensitive position.
2. Technical knowledge:
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Possess positive attitude
- Strong agricultural knowledge
- Ability to establish priorities, work independently, work as a team member, and proceed with objectives without supervision
- Overnight travel may be required
- Extended work hours are required, primarily in the spring and fall
- Possess a high level of attention to detail
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 70 pounds occasionally
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time
- Ability to work in all weather conditions
3. Experience:
- Agriculture experience preferred
- Field research experience preferred
** In an effort to provide a safer, drug-free workplace for employees, all full-time applicants to whom offers of employment are made must submit to a drug test and background check, subject to applicable local, state, or federal laws or regulations. Employment at Beck's is contingent upon passing these pre-employment screenings.
