Research Assistant I

Announcement Number:
STAFF - VA - 26431

For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Frankie Kay Crutcher
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Classification Title:
Research Asst I

Working Title:
Research Assistant I

Brief Position Overview:
This research assistant position will be under the supervision of Plant Pathology at the Eastern Ag Research Center in Sidney, MT. The person in this position will assist in the design, establishment, and maintenance of applied and basic research studies.

Position Number:
4M0257

Department:
AES EARC

Division:
College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type:
Classified

Contract Term:
Fiscal Year

Semester:

If other, specify From date:

If other, specify End date:

FLSA:
Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation:
FOCUS-MFPE

FTE:
1.0

Benefits Eligible:
Eligible

Salary:
Salary range of $15.929/hr - $19.911/hr, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type:
Classified Salary

If other, please specify:

Recruitment Type:
Open

Position Details General Statement:
This position provides technical support to the Plant Pathology Program at the Eastern Ag Research Center in Sidney, MT.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in the design, establishment, and maintenance of field studies, including the application of pesticide treatments, data collection, and other tasks as needed.
• Operate field machinery including farm vehicles, tractors, and sprayers. Will occasionally need to move equipment on trailers.
• Assist with lab experiments when needed including greenhouse experiments and inoculum preparation.
• Organize data files and generate yearly reports.
• Supervise summer student workers, student interns, and graduate students.
• Provide periodic support for other research projects at the center as well as collaborate with the agronomy program when needed.

Required Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

1. High school diploma.
2. Experience in plant pathology research field maintenance including fertilization and pest management, planting and harvesting of experimental plots, and procedures and practices associated with grain cleaning, processing, and seed treatment application.
3. Experience in soil sampling and processing.
4. Experience with multiple computer programs including the Microsoft office suite.

Preferred Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

1. Experience with plant pathology, plant science or a closely related research area.
2. Experience with experimental design, data collection and analysis in field, greenhouse, and laboratory settings.
3. Experience in small plot farm equipment operation.
4. Experience in applying pesticides and is currently a licensed pesticide applicator.
5. Experience with welding and small equipment repair.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Work successfully with a wide-range of people.
• Prioritize workplace safety at all times.
• Have the ability to consistently exercise initiative and good judgement.
• Have effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Have time management skills and be detail oriented.
• Have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with co-workers.
• Have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and others in a team-oriented environment.
• Be able to represent the research centers and its program in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information:

• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Montana drivers license within 3 months of hire as in-state travel will be required.
• Must possess a Montana Pesticide Applicators License, or be eligible and able to obtain one within 3 months of the date of hire and obtain a boiler operators license through the Montana Department of Agriculture within 1 year of hire.
• Will occasionally require after hours or overnight travel to research locations and scientific meetings.
• Occasional work and instate travel outside of traditional business hours when research protocols dictate may be required.
• Continuation of employment is contingent upon performance and availability of funding.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State Universitys rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands:

• Must be able to enter, exit, and operate numerous types of farm equipment; requires working around loud, heavy equipment, and occasionally working at elevated positions (grain bins, roofs).
• Must be able to move up to 40 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to walk and stand in rough terrain for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all types of adverse weather conditions.
• Must be able to work with and around pesticides, other plant materials and in dusty environments; requires the ability to wear a respirator or related safety equipment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?:
Yes

Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies:
1

Desired Start Date:

Position End Date (if temporary):

Open Date:

Close Date:

Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on June 17, 2026 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions:
This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement:
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veterans Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veterans preference, please complete the veterans preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.