Research Support Specialist I - Ithaca, United States - Cornell University

Description

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards:

As a university founded to be a place where " person can find instruction in any study," diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission.

We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation.

As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all.

Cornell Core values.

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.

These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success.


Department Background:

The section of Plant Pathology of the School of Integrative Plant Science is making new scientific discoveries about the interactions between plants and microbes and developing innovative solutions to address the challenges of 21st century agriculture across the globe.

At the same time, the section provides essential information to decision-makers, including agriculture producers, educators, policymakers, home gardeners, and local communities.

Rewards And Benefits:
Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits ...More on Cornell Benefits


Position Summary:

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

This research program specializes in applied plant pathology, mycology, and community/stakeholder education.

The program's mission is to provide a better understanding of the relationships between life history features of fungal plant pathogens of fruit crops and applied disease management practices.

Understanding the impacts that management practices have on aspects of pathogen life history such as survival, inoculum production, community structure, and propensity for resistance development will, in turn, allow for the sustainability and refinement of such practices to better manage disease.

The research program focuses on integrating basic and applied research to develop improved management strategies for fruit diseases of concern to New York producers.

Under the direction of the supervisor, assist in planning, designing, implementing, conducting, and analyzing experiments and/or research projects according to plan.

Conduct or supervise personnel conducting research experiments and provide preliminary analysis aimed at understanding pathogens mitigating diseases of small fruit and tree fruit crops, including laboratory and field research, as well as occasional greenhouse and growth chamber research.

Develop protocols and prepare media for the testing of pathogen drug resistance in addition to the preparation of inoculum of plant pathogens, and perform isolation, culturing, and maintenance of several plant pathogenic bacterial and fungi from tissue samples and growth media.

Co-coordinate chemical management trials as a pesticide handler as needed.

Perform inoculation field plots with plant pathogens, hand thin stone fruit, maintain nursery plots, and assess field plots for disease.

The research support specialist will coordinate research efforts for greenhouse and perform in vitro pathogenicity assays on fruit and fruit crops for bacterial or fungal pathogens, and plants in the growth chamber or greenhouse for adequate growth and contamination.

Provide oversight of and/or schedule cleaning, maintenance, and organization of laboratory and field facilities as needed to ensure a clean working environment and follow health and safety regulations.

The research support specialist would provide oversight and training for graduate students on the use of the digital microscopy, fertigation, and colorimeter.

The technician would also provide oversite for training in the above-mentioned areas for new technical and postdoctoral staff, and graduate students.

This is a one-year term appointment with possibility of renewal contingent upon successful performance and secured funding.


Required Qualifications:

• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color.
• Experience working with diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing programs.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Bachelor's Degree and 2 to 4 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination in a research laboratory or related field.

Proven ability to isolate and culture plant pathogens from infected tissues. Maintain and inoculate fruit and tree fruit plants in the field and greenhouse is necessary. Proven ability to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing.

Must demonstrate effective listening skills, sound judgment, excellent reasoning and decision-making skills, meticulous record keeping and ability to work with diverse personalities.

Must be able to work both indoors and in the field under pressure with a great deal of initiative. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects.

Must be able to work independently as well as in a coordinated and cordial fashion with members of the program.

Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external constituencies. Must have demonstrated ability to handle sensitive/confidential material in a professional manner. Must have demonstrated proficient in computer application including Microsoft Word, Excel, SAS, CLC Main workbench, Linux, DataGraph, and SigmaPlot. Must be able to periodically lift up to 50 lbs. Must have and maintain an unrestricted drivers license and be cleared to drive for university business. Must possess or be willing to obtain Certified Pesticide Handler License within first six months of employment. Must demonstrate a history of commitment to DEI and an inclusive work environment.


Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years' experience working in an applied microbiology lab on isolation and culturing of plant pathogens from infected tissues, and inoculation of tree fruit plants in the field and greenhouse.

Must possess a Certified Pesticide Applicator License and have participated on organizational DEI initiatives.

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

No relocation assistance is available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's COVID-19 workplace guidance as well as the university's COVID-19 services and information.


University Job Title:
Research Support Spec I


Job Family:
Academic Support


Level:
E


Pay Rate Type:
Salary


Pay Range:
$58, $62,270.00


Remote Option Availability:
Fully Onsite


Company:
Contract College


Contact Name:
Jessica Townley


Job Titles and Pay Ranges:
Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile.

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

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Union Positions

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To learn more about Cornell's union wages, see Union Pay Rates.


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