Campus

OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email

Justin Moss, mossjq@okstate.edu

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length

Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range

$38040 - $60000 Salary

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.

About this Position

The Senior Research Specialist will support horticultural crop research, with a primary focus on tree fruit. This position is responsible for managing and operating laboratory equipment and facilities. Key responsibilities include proficiency in operating High Performance Liquid Chromatography, microspectrometers, microscopes, water potential pressure chambers, and other related instruments.

The candidate should also have experience in plant tissue culture techniques and greenhouse management, as well as the ability to perform hands-on tasks such as repairing irrigation systems and general equipment maintenance.

The position involves close collaboration with faculty and students, assisting in field work including sample collection, plant index testing, and other research activities. Additional duties include supervising graduate students and managing lab data and research records. Must have the ability to travel to various locations within the state for sample and data collection. 

The ideal candidate will be a quick learner, highly efficient, and capable of working independently with strong practical skills. Completion of coursework related to horticultural crops is preferred to ensure a solid understanding of the field and the position’s requirements. 

This is a grant funded position contingent upon performance and available funding. 

About Us: The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture has 23 faculty with both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The department operates The Botanic Garden at OSU, Oklahoma Gardening television show, the Greenhouse Learning Center, the Landscape Architecture Studio, the OSU Student Farm, and is active at several research sites through the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. For more information about the department, go to:  https://agriculture.okstate.edu/departments-programs/hla/ 

There are lots of great reasons to work at OSU.  Check out our competitive benefits and eligibility at https://hr.okstate.edu/prospective-ee.html. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in horticulture, soil science, or related agricultural fields.
  (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)

• The candidate should have at least three years of successful experience in laboratory, greenhouse, and field settings. Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and hold a valid driver’s license. Experience operating laboratory equipment such as HPLC and field equipment including mowers and cherry pickers is required. Hands-on skills in installing irrigation systems and maintaining or repairing laboratory equipment are also required. Ability to analyze data and completion of college-level statistics courses is needed.

• Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses:

  Valid current driver's license.

• Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:

  1. Proficiency in operating laboratory equipment, including High Performance Liquid Chromatography, microspectrometers, microscopes, and water potential pressure chambers.
  2. Experience operating field equipment such as mowers and cherry pickers.
  3. Hands-on skills in installing irrigation systems, constructing agricultural fencing, and building related tools and infrastructure to support field research.
  4. Data analysis skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's in horticulture, soil science or related agricultural field.

• Several years of experience working with tree fruit crops and demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with students and researchers in the same field. 

• Certifications, Registrations, and/or Licenses:

  Over five years of driving experience with a valid driver’s license, with the ability to travel frequently for field sampling. 

• Skills, Proficiencies, and/or Knowledge:

  Completed coursework in horticultural crops and soil science.