Position Summary:

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville invites applications for a Research Specialist in the School of Agriculture, Agricultural Waste Management Lab. This position will support on-going and future research projects related to manure and nutrient management, biochar applications in agriculture, and soil health. Ongoing research is supported by the Dairy Innovation Hub in addition to other regional and federal grants.

This position involves a combination of field, laboratory, and office work. As part of the ongoing research, you will help maintain experiments through data collection, organization, and management; assist in the training and supervision of undergraduate research assistants; perform routine maintenance on analytical equipment; produce biochar for ongoing research; and assist with the organization of farm-scale research field studies.

This is a full-time, two-year position with eligibility for benefits and paid leave. This role requires on-site work, typically during standard business hours (e.g., 8 AM to 4 PM or 9 AM to 5 PM), with occasional early mornings, late afternoons, and weekends depending on research needs.  Salary for this position is $45,000 per year.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research experiments with limited supervision and provide technical support for research projects and/or laboratory analysis under moderate supervision.
• Perform and supervise undergraduate research assistants in lab or field tests in accordance to established research requirements and specifications.
• Collection, organize, and review data according to established research requirements and specifications for summarizing results for presentations or reporting.
• Participate in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials.
• Review, analyze, and interpret data and/or document results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences.
• Operate, inspect, clean, and maintain organization of research equipment and research area. Track inventory levels and place replenishment orders.
• Assist with literature reviews, data analyses and/or report/manuscript writing.
• Provide operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers.
• Assist with other Dairy Innovation Hub obligations as assigned. 

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Agronomy, Soil Science, Agroecology, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field with an agricultural and/or environmental focus.
• Demonstrated expertise in research, with a minimum of two years' experience managing relevant projects, including the design and setup of experiments, data collection in both laboratory and field settings, as well as data organization and analysis.
• Strong enthusiasm for mentoring and working with undergraduate students in a research setting.
• Highly motivated with excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage a self-directed work schedule.
• Proficiency in computer usage and writing skills for report writing and data collection from fieldwork.
• Dependable with the ability to complete tasks efficiently and on time.
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver's license as offsite fieldwork is frequently required.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
  

Why It’s Great to be a Pioneer:

The School of Agriculture (SOA) is part of the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture and has over 550 undergraduate students, and 30 faculty and staff. A 430-acre farm is available for teaching, demonstration, and systems-based research. The SOA offers six majors, such as agricultural education, agribusiness, animal science, ecological restoration and resource management, environmental horticulture, and soil and crop science.
In the School of Agriculture, we value “learning by doing”, engaging students in hands-on projects, undergraduate research projects, and through employment at the campus farm, laboratories, greenhouse and within our student-run businesses. Our soil and crop science graduates enjoy nearly 100% job placement. Our programs offer outstanding leadership and experiential learning opportunities such as service learning, undergraduate student research, faculty-led international study experiences, and internships within agricultural industry and government. We have 25 student organizations and competitive judging teams that will help enrich a student's college experience. We recognize that participation in extra-curricular activities encourages learning beyond the classroom and helps to develop leadership skills, build lasting relationships, and improve students' ability to compete for professional career positions. See: https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/school-agriculture and https://www.uwplatt.edu/department/pioneer-farm

UW-Platteville SOA is also part of the Dairy Innovation Hub, which the state of Wisconsin is supporting to harness research and development at UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, and UW-Madison campuses to keep Wisconsin's $45.6 billion dairy community at the global forefront in producing nutritious dairy products in an economically, environmentally, and social sustainable manner. 

The Hub has four key priority areas:

• Stewarding land and water resources
• Enriching human health and nutrition
• Ensuring animal health and welfare
• Growing farm businesses and communities. 

This position would be working with Dr. Sanford in the area of stewarding land and water resources, specifically agricultural waste and nutrient management. The research group has several federal, state, and local grants investigating different manure management and handling systems, and investigating biochar applications in agriculture. This position would allow for a strong understanding of on-farm waste management and soil health, skills in conducting laboratory and field analysis including using instruments such as nutrient discrete analyzer, FTIR gas emission analyzer, gas chromatography, elemental analysis, and more. The research group provides ample opportunities to disseminate results in peer-reviewed and trade journals, as well as to present at professional and outreach conferences.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, founded in 1866, offers 47 baccalaureate and 10 master's programs. It possesses institutional strengths in middle level education, engineering, industrial technology, agriculture, criminal justice and business. The campus is located in Southwest Wisconsin's largest and most historic community. The region offers excellent school systems, high quality medical and hospital facilities, outstanding recreational opportunities, and vibrant businesses and industries. UW-Platteville is a cultural and educational center for the Tri-State region of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Take a virtual tour of our campus!

Application Deadline:

To ensure full consideration applications must be submitted through online applicant portal by October 23, 2024. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled.

How to Apply:

The following documents are required for applicant consideration:

• Letter of application addressing all required qualifications
• A current resume
• Contact information (name, telephone number, and email address) for 3 professional references.

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

            Dr. Joseph Sanford at sanfordj@uwplatt.edu 

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Our mission is to foster a diverse environment that contributes to an inclusive culture and climate by promoting critical discourse and meaningful interactions between all members of our campus community.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is committed to recruiting, supporting and fostering a diverse, inclusive and civil community of outstanding faculty, staff and students, and is an AA/EEO Employer. A criminal background check is required for employment. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the U.S. at time of hire.

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.