Laboratory Coordinator I (Extended Temporary)

The School of Plant Sciences is accepting applications for a Laboratory Coordinator I. The Laboratory Coordinator I will support our computational plant science lab with research focus on crop root phenomics. As a multidisciplinary research lab with researchers from computer science, plant biology, engineering, ecology and others, the job requires flexibility and willingness to adjust to various degrees of knowledge depending on the project.

The candidate should possess technical knowledge of plant biology and interest in assisting researchers and students with the implementation of lab, greenhouse, and field experiments. The selected candidate will have the ability to work together with researchers with various scientific backgrounds, in different career stages which include undergraduate research assistants to postdoctoral staff. This position requires some engineering skills to work with proprietary instruments developed in the lab, which the selected candidate will be trained to assist other researchers in the lab on.

Occasionally the experiments will require weekend work and the willingness to travel between the Tucson Campus of the University of Arizona, field sites (e.g. Maricopa Agricultural Center) and greenhouse sites (e.g. Campus Farm) within the state to guarantee the successful completion of experiments. The ideal candidate will reside in Tucson.

This is an Extended Temporary Employment (ETE) position.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Coordinates operational activities such as growing and harvesting plants for root studies performed in the lab, greenhouse, and field. This generally involves washing roots, shoveling, cutting plant material, fertilizing, watering and etc. (requires occasional weekend work).
• Manage the ordering, inventory, storage, and maintenance of supplies, lab ware, and instruments essential to the operation of the lab, greenhouse and/or field research.
• Organize the training requirements for the members of the lab. Provide training to undergraduate and graduate students on safety, equipment/instrument usage and answers questions regarding the experiments and the equipment being used. Create work schedule for students. 
• Contribute with supporting documents and/or data for grant and contract proposals.
• Revise and implement policies, procedures, and standards to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, safety and quality control of the laboratory, greenhouse and/or field research operation is in compliance with federal, state, and university regulations and standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in growing plants in the field, greenhouse, and lab.
• Laboratory experience handling biological material and basic chemistry procedures.
• Knowledge about plant biology and physiology.
• Basic skills to assemble growth containers, repair tools, etc. 
• Basic data analysis skills and ability to digitally visualize, design and describe experiments.
• Good organization skills for the lab and the researchers.
• Proficient in using Word, Excel, Power Point and other office software.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

• Bachelor's degree in plant biology, agriculture, biosystems engineering, other relevant discipline, or equivalent advanced learning attained though experience required.
• 1 year of relevant work experience required.
• Ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy .

• Master’s degree in relevant discipline.
• Documented experience in interdisciplinary research environments.
• Documented experience in crop research and field experiments.