Research Technician - Crop Protection Genetics

Research Technician - Crop Protection Genetics

Who We Are + What We Do

The Land Institute co-leads the global movement for perennial, diverse, regenerative grain agriculture at a scale that matches the enormity of the intertwined climate, water, and food security crises. An independent 501c3 non-profit founded in 1976, the organization seeks to reconcile the human economy with nature's economy, starting with food. The transdisciplinary team of scientists, together with global partners, are developing new perennial grain crops, like Kernza©, and diverse cropping systems that function within nature's limits while researching the social transformation required for a just, perennial human future.

How You’d Fit In + Stand Out

As a Research Technician, you will support and perform daily operations of your program to advance efforts to breed for disease resistance, identify and manage diseases in perennial grain crops. You will be someone who enjoys a wide variety of tasks and adapts to the seasonal flow of sample collection, processing, analysis, and planning. Your daily tasks will include things such as maintaining ongoing experiments by hand weeding, mowing, line trimming, observing, rating disease regularly throughout the season, harvesting, imaging plants in the field, sampling plants and soil, installing and maintaining irrigation equipment and growth tunnels, researching a variety of field and lab-relevant topics, assisting with training and directing research assistants in the lab, and supporting the creation and analysis of projects. You bring diligence and curiosity to the work needed to realize perennial grains in the landscape. You will manage various tasks, projects, and timelines simultaneously under the direction of your program lead, and use knowledge and skills in field and lab work to further the program's research goals independently and collaboratively. 

Primary Responsibilities + Expectations

Execution & Accountability

• Oversee, plan, initiate, and maintain field and greenhouse trials – plant, weed, water, monitor, rate disease, collect data, harvest, thresh, and process samples
• Maintain plant and pathogen health daily or as needed through independently monitoring and correcting issues including hydration, pests, diseases, weeds, nutrient deficiencies in all field and controlled environments; applying chemicals as needed
• Organize, clean, maintain, repair, and order working tools, equipment, and supplies

Decision making

• Research, develop, carefully document, and share protocols for new field and lab methods

Collaboration and influence

• Periodically assist with research projects in other programs as needed 
• Maintain relationships, communication, and coordination within TLI and with external collaborators

Leadership

Guide the day-to-day tasks of research assistants in the program for field and lab tasks, as well as assisting with any necessary training

Strategy & Organizational Impact

• Periodically engage with visitors by leading guided tours and participating in community and scientific outreach or internal educational initiatives
• Attend and present at conferences
• Co-author scientific research publications

Applied Technical Knowledge

• Safely apply chemicals for research and plant/pathogen maintenance
• Safely operate heavy agricultural equipment (trucks, tractors, trailers, etc.) and lab equipment; clean, maintain, and occasionally repair/upgrade/recommend/order equipment in coordination with Program Lead and Senior Technicians
• Carefully record, curate, and analyze data, including images, using tablets, shared drives, etc.
• Occasionally conduct lab procedures such as DNA extraction, microscopy, etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., plant pathology, agronomy, plant breeding)
• Valid driver’s license and ability to hitch, drive, and back up trailers; experience operating farm tractors and attachments.
• Work experience in agriculture or agricultural research.
• Computer literacy; able to use word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Eligible to work in the US without employment sponsorship 

Qualifications that could help you succeed:

• Experience and career interest in plant pathology in the field and lab
• Experience as part of a research lab and conducting independent research projects
• Familiarity with statistical analyses, programming languages, and image processing such as R and ImageJ
• Experience working outdoors in extreme conditions 
• A record of teamwork and organization-wide collaboration 
• Agricultural chemical applicator experience and/or license
• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality; excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Hours

Generally available to work forty hours per week, via in-person and digital meetings, primarily during 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time on weekdays when most of our staff and collaborators are working. Extended hours may be periodically necessary to complete tasks (e.g., before the arrival of inclement weather, travel, etc.). We are flexible for caregivers who might need to provide rides or support, attend appointments, or be available for caregiving.

Location + Travel

This in-person role is grounded in the Central Great Plains at our Salina, KS, campus and will require travel for events, meetings, and fieldwork. Primary travel will happen in the United States. Occasional and limited remote work during off-season is possible.

Environmental + Working Conditions

• Work primarily in the field, often in extreme heat and inclement weather
• Work in threshing/sample processing, greenhouse, lab, and office
• Physical fitness is required for digging plants and other fieldwork
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs

Compensation + Benefits

The Land Institute offers an excellent benefits package and competitive salary commensurate with experience. 

The salary for this position is grant-funded and fixed at $46,000 in the first year, with a 3% annual increase.

This is a 2.5-year grant-funded position to start as soon as possible, no later than March 2027. 

• Remote-friendly work environment
• Paid parental leave
• Competitive, equitable compensation
• 403(b) Retirement 
• 403(b) Employer contributions
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance 
• Employer-Provided Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Accidental Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Paid holidays
• Generous paid time off
• Complete laptop workstation and set up for remote work

To Apply: 

To be considered for this position, click apply below and submit a resume/CV and cover letter. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must be eligible to work in the US without employment sponsorship for 2.5 years following the start date.

Cover letters should address the following:

1. Why are you interested in this position?
2. What experience do you have that might help you be successful in this role?
3. What are you most curious about with regard to The Land Institute, plant protection genetics, or our mission?

The Land Institute is an equal opportunity employer and embraces the opportunity to provide employment to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. We are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.