Organic Agriculture Research Specialist

Job Description

Job Summary:

This position’s primary responsibility will be to manage our organic field and forage crop research program at UW-Madison. This position will work with a dynamic group of students, scientists, and outreach specialists to generate cutting-edge research focused on agroecological methods supporting organic farmers throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest. The position is housed in the Organic and Sustainable Research and Extension program in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, with strong collaborations with the Departments of Plant Pathology, Plant and Agroecosystems Sciences, Soil Science, Biosystems Engineering, and Animal and Dairy Sciences. Research themes include: reducing tillage in organic production; creating diverse multi-crop systems integrating annual and perennial crops; understanding the impacts of organic management on soil health and biology, including climate change mitigation and resilience; and benefits of animal integration into farming systems. Duties primarily focus on managing our extensive field research program (located at UW Agricultural Research Stations as well as on working farms), as well as analyzing and summarizing data in reports and publications. A component of our research relates to Indigenous agriculture and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), with research and demonstration sties established with Tribal partners throughout the state. Additional projects and responsibilities related to outreach of research results may also arise.

The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) is committed to maintaining and growing a culture that embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements of our excellence and fundamental components of a positive and enriching learning and working environment for all students, faculty, and staff. At CALS, we acknowledge that bias, prejudice, racism, and hate have historically occurred in many forms that cause significant and lasting harm to members of our community. We commit to taking actions each day toward a college that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

Responsibilities:

Provides technical expertise to fundamental and/or applied scientific research under the direction of senior research personnel or faculty.

40% Collects and analyzes basic research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures
20% Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities and assists with publications
10% Trains individuals and groups on equipment operations, research protocols, and techniques within a specialized laboratory or research area
20% Assists with the development of research methodologies and procedures
5% Assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
5% Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

Education:

Required
Master’s Degree
Agricultural Science field

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Experience working in an agricultural research program, ideally focused on organic or sustainable systems.
Successful experience in coordination, management and implementation of field-based research plots is required.
Proficiency in software used for data analysis associated with field research is required.
Experience communicating research information using different media (poster, papers, presentation) adapted to different audience.
Must be willing to travel for implementing and presenting research locally and nationally.
Must be willing to work individually as well as in collaboration with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communication is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience managing students is preferred.
Experience working directly with agricultural producers for research purposes preferred.

License/Certification:

Required
Drivers License – Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $60,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
The anticipated salary range for this position is $60,000 – $65,000. However, final salary will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf

Additional Information:

Criminal Background Check may be required
Evaluation Period may be required
Driving authorization required: Applicants must become an approved UW-Madison driver through UW-Madison’s driver authorization process. This requires meeting established driver authorization criteria listed at: https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/
Work Authorization: The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States by the start of the appointment.

How to Apply:

Click on the “Apply Online” button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/Application Materials:

Resume: Detail your educational and professional background
Cover letter: Outline your knowledge and experience in the areas listed in the Qualifications section above.
Example of a grant proposal or research paper written by the applicant.
References: List contact information for three (3) references, including your current/most recent supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notice.

It’s important that your cover letter and resume reflect your experience for this position related to the Qualifications section. Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Contact:

Candice Butler
[email protected]
608-890-2895
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Researcher I(RE040)

Department(s):

A07-COL OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES/PLANT PATHOLOGY

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

301798-AS

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

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

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.