Research Specialist

2 years of experience in plant research, plant nutrition and statistics knowledge, advanced
Degree in Agriculture or Biology.

Establishes and manages experiments conducted in the laboratory and at the university farm to investigate soil and water quality in Piedmont soils. Under the direction of the Principle Investigators' plan, develops and organizes experiments and logistics, records and analyzes data, interprets results, produces reports in MS Word and Excel and presentations in MS PowerPoint, and writes quarterly research reports and manuscripts for publication in scientific journals. Supervises temporary staff, undergraduate and graduate students and manages all purchasing and budgets for the project.

N.C. A&T is a public, land-grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 14,311 students in Fall 2024, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master's programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America's top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor's programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks no. 3 in master's degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master's degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation.

Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as "R2-High Research Activity" in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve "R1-Very High Research Activity" status. It also holds Carnegie's earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities ( APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher-education economic driver in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as "best for business" by the CNBC financial network.

The objectives of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design are to meet its responsibilities to society by providing training for professional agriculturists, natural resources specialists, landscape architects, agricultural and biosystems engineers and environmentalists who can identify, analyze, and solve the problems of today, as well as new problems that may arise in the future.

Develops experimental procedures, experimental design and project planning for these current projects: Urban and Rural Soil Quality, Tillage Study, Summer Cover Crop Study.
Conducts experiments, data collection and analysis, evaluating and reporting.
Plans methods and techniques to meet research objectives.
Searches literature and has a complete understanding of scientific, experimental and/or research theory to design methods, procedures and/or techniques.
Identifies data to be collected and documented.
Identifies resources needed to conduct experiments.
Operates all equipment needed for field and laboratory experimentation independently.
Conducts laboratory tests on all field samples.
Collects, compiles and organizes information for multiple research projects.
Modifies and refines techniques to meet research objectives.

Prepares presentations and research reports.
Monitors and collects data as required by research protocol.
Maintains appropriate documentation of research as required by research protocol.
Recommends revisions to experimental methods based upon observations.
Prepares research findings and reports.
Gives field tour and demonstration to visiting farmers, students and other stakeholders.

Serve as Soil and Water Quality Field and Laboratory Manager.
Supervises the Environmental Studies Laboratory to ensure all equipment is operated safely and correctly by all research employees.
Manages the laboratory and field activities of the program independently.
Operates all equipment needed for field and laboratory experimentation independently.
Interprets results, producing reports in MS Word and Excel and presentations in MS PowerPoint.
Conducts tests, experiments and/or procedures following standard protocol.
Identifies and documents variations that may affect the validity of the experiment.
Complies with OSHA standards in order to keep a safe environment.
Applies knowledge of scientific principles to conduct research processes, knowledge of laboratory instruments and equipment.
Collects samples and sets up laboratories for multiple laboratory classes in Sustainable Land Management.

Communicates detailed outcomes and results of research in oral and written format.
Keeps record of all purchases and purchase orders, orders and completes all purchases using Aggiemart and Banner, obtains quotes for purchases and manages research budget.
Assists the University farm by providing services to conduct moisture analyses for field crops.

Communication and collaboration with postdoc and graduate students for successful planning and execution of field and greenhouse experiment/research.
Collaborate with the team for organization, observation, troubleshooting and maintenance of research plots and greenhouse..

Supervises and trains temporary staff and graduate and undergraduate students in both field and laboratory techniques.

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. North Carolina A&T State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.

Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more;