Greenhouse Manager - Plant Biology
University of Illinois

Job Info

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Greenhouse Manager - Plant Biology

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Job Summary
The Plant Biology Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to oversee its brand new, state-of-the-art greenhouse. The incumbent will provide technical support for the daily operations of the greenhouse, management and coordination of experiments, and maintenance of all equipment and systems.
Duties & Responsibilities

• Technical consultant and coordinator of high-throughput phenotyping experiments and growth room experiments, including: (1) Assist researchers with developing the appropriate experiments to be conducted; (2) Assist researchers with analysis and interpretation of experiment results; (3) Maintain schedule of research experiments; (4) Maintain phenotyping equipment and growth rooms, including analysis software; (5) Act as the primary contact with equipment vendors technical staff; (6) Assist researchers with propagation and maintenance of plant material for experiments; (7) Coordinate repair and maintenance of equipment required for the operation of the facility

• Plan, develop, and implement processes and protocols to support research programs

• Propagation, maintenance, and harvest of transformed material in the greenhouse for seed collection

• Oversee the pest and disease program in the greenhouse and utilize appropriate methods including keeping bays clean and sterile to prevent contamination and any pests, application of restricted-use pesticides and biological controls, and maintaining chemical application records

• Purchase supplies for use in the greenhouse and growth chambers, maintain records of supply inventory, and assist in the management of the operational budget. Receive and respond to control system alarms

• Supervise undergraduate and other hourly appointments. Possess a high degree of safety awareness: proactively collaborates with safety personnel and team members to foster a safe and organized work environment; other duties as needed to further the mission of the unit

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or mathematical field
• Experience with regulated plant propagation and disposal
• Experience in greenhouse/field research (3 years minimum)
• Familiar with plant phenotyping techniques and analysis State of Illinois restricted-use pesticide training and certification, or be willing to obtain within 6 months
• Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in agricultural engineering, crop sciences, or related field
• Experience in greenhouse management (3 years minimum), including supervision of staff
• Experience with troubleshooting greenhouse and phenotyping equipment and data analysis
• Experience using and programming a greenhouse grow lighting system
• Experience with high-throughput phenotyping equipment
• Experience with walk-in growth rooms
• Experience with automatic plant irrigation and fertigation systems
• Training on phenotyping systems, growth lighting, and safe autoclave usage

Successful candidates will have:

• Ability to communicate effectively with others
• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural and linguistic differences. Commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Knowledge of the Federal Plant Pest Act that gives APHIS the ability to make determinations regarding transgenic plant variety containment requirements, as well as associated permitting and disposal regulations
• Knowledge of greenhouse systems including plumbing/irrigation, heating and cooling, humidification, and lighting
• Strong collaboration skills to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to perform work both within an office and greenhouse setting and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. This position will require occasional weekend and holiday availability
• Knowledge of plant pest identification and control. Experience with data analysis
• Working knowledge of basic electronics, sensors, and data loggers

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the deadline date. The starting salary for this position is $60,000. Actual starting salary will be determined by the candidate's credentials and alignment with the position requirements. The employee hired into this position will be expected to work onsite on a full-time basis. Sponsorship for Work Authorization is not available for this position.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu and use the Apply Now button on the posting. Upload your cover letter, resume, and names/contact information for three professional references. Please remember to include specific information on how you meet the qualifications of the position in your application materials. Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on April 18, 2024. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Jessica Seipp at jseipp@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID: 1022794
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

This job has expired.