Research Technician (Soil and Water Conservation)

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number

0801860

Classification Title

Research Technician (Soil and Water Conservation)

Working Title

Department

Agriculture Research Development Program (ARDP)

Department Contact Email

srahman@centralstate.edu

Job Summary/Basic Function

POSITION SUMMARY

The Agriculture and Natural Resources Information and Management (
ANRIM ) lab in the College of Engineering, Science, Technology and
Agriculture ( CESTA ) at Central State University is seeking a
Research Technician to support field and laboratory operations for research projects related to soil and water conservation in agricultural and natural systems.

The selected candidate will be responsible for day-to-day field and laboratory work, including sample collection, sample processing, and equipment upkeep, and will be expected to multitask across several ongoing projects at once. The candidate will provide hands-on assistance to Research Associates, Postdoctoral Research
Associates, and other lab personnel, helping to keep field and laboratory work on schedule. The successful candidate should be organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable prioritizing multiple tasks and requests in a fast-paced research environment. The candidate must be willing to learn field and laboratory protocols, instrumentation, and data collection methods relevant to the research program.

The position involves travel to selected field/study sites for data collection and sample retrieval.

Duties and Responsibilities

Field-Based Responsibilities

• Travel to field sites to collect soil, water, and plant samples

using standard and project-specific protocols

• Set up, calibrate, and maintain field instrumentation and

monitoring equipment (e.g., soil moisture sensors, water samplers, flow meters)

• Record field data accurately, including GPS coordinates, site

conditions, and sample metadata

• Assist with the establishment and upkeep of field plots and

research sites

• Transport, label, and log samples for return to the lab,

maintaining chain-of-custody

• Follow safety protocols for fieldwork under varying weather and

site conditions

Lab-Based Responsibilities

• Process, prepare, and analyze soil, water, and plant samples

following established laboratory protocols

• Multitask across multiple concurrent projects, balancing

competing sample-processing and analysis deadlines

• Perform routine calibration, cleaning, and preventative

maintenance of laboratory equipment and instrumentation

• Track and maintain lab supplies, reagents, and consumables, and

place restocking requests as needed

• Enter, organize, and quality-check data generated from field and

laboratory work

• Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks, sample inventories, and

chain-of-custody records

• Help enforce lab safety procedures and maintain a clean,

organized, and compliant workspace

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on field and lab assistance to Research Associates,

Postdoctoral Research Associates, and other research staff as project needs arise

• Coordinate scheduling of shared field and lab tasks across

multiple researchers and projects

• Assist with basic data entry, organization, and summary tasks to

support reports and manuscripts

• Support onboarding of new lab members on standard field and lab

procedures

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the

supervisor

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, or

another related field (e.g., Soil Science, Natural Resources,
Agricultural Engineering, Biology, Chemistry or a closely related discipline). Candidates with an associate degree in related fields will be considered if they have at least 2 years of experience following their associates degree in field or lab-based responsibilities identified in the job description.

• Willingness and ability to perform physically demanding fieldwork

in varying outdoor conditions

• Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage competing priorities

across multiple projects

• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with spreadsheet and

data management software

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of

a research team

• Strong attention to detail and record-keeping skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Coursework or hands-on experience related to soil science, water

quality, or agricultural/environmental systems

• Prior field or laboratory experience, particularly in a

multi-project research setting

• Experience working with one or more of the following instruments:

ICP - OES, ICP -MS, CN Analyzer, IRMS, Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry,
HPLC, GC-MS, GC-MS/MS

• Familiarity with GIS, statistical software, or data management

tools

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience supporting or coordinating with multiple researchers

on shared lab resources

Posting Date

11/10/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants

This is a term appointment. The initial appointment is for two (2) years. Renewal for each subsequent year is contingent upon satisfactory performance, and any renewal beyond the initial two-year term is contingent upon continued satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

Background Check
All offers of employment at Central
State University are contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. This may include, but is not limited to, verification of education and employment history, criminal history check, driving record (if applicable), drug screening, and tax compliance review.

Certain positions may require additional screenings based on job responsibilities, regulatory requirements, or funding sources.

Failure to successfully complete the required background check or provide accurate and complete information may result in withdrawal of an offer or termination of employment.

Work Authorization
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout their employment. The University is not able to sponsor employment visas for this position now or in the future.

Position Category

Staff - Monthly (Exempt)

Budgeted Annual Salary

Commensurate with experience

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial Transcripts

Optional Documents