Research Specialist in Life Sciences (Greenhouse)

The Department of Plant Biology/School of Integrative Biology is searching for a full time Research Specialist in Life Sciences (Greenhouse) to oversee plant material for classes, research experiments, and maintain a large exotic plant collection in the Plant Biology Greenhouses for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Other responsibilities include: Develop, implement and supervise the daily plant care for educational projects, research projects and plant collections. Develop planting schedules for Integrative Biology Classes per requests given by the class instructor and outreach and educational-related activities in the form of educational tours and workshops. Interact with faculty, class instructors, staff and students. Some work on weekends and holidays is required, as well as respond to greenhouse environmental alarms when other staff is unavailable. Train and supervise part-time student and hourly employees. May require on or off campus travel to deliver/purchase plants and supplies.

Qualifications:  Required: B.S. degree in Horticulture, Plant Biology (Botany), Crop Sciences or related field.  Experience with use of computers for word processing, spreadsheet and database software management.  Preferred: M.S. degree, with a minimum of three years experience in greenhouse, field, or nursery production.  Experience in a research and/or educational greenhouse.  Must be knowledgeable of greenhouse research or commercial production methods for horticultural, agronomic crops, and exotic plants.  Must also be knowledgeable in plant nutrition, plant propagation, plant taxonomy, scientific nomenclature and botanical terminology. Knowledge of where plants grow and how they grow is required as there is a large exotic plant collection with plants from all over the world. Knowledge of the fundamentals of plant pathology and entomology, as well as experimental layout and design is also required. Must be able to identify greenhouse pests and disease symptoms, and be able to make independent decisions for appropriate Integrative Pest Management methods, including mechanical, chemical and biological control. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an Illinois Pesticide Public Applicators or Operators License is required. A driver’s license is required.

Salary:  Will be determined by experience and qualifications.

Starting Date: August 16, 2008

Send applications (resume and three letters of reference) to:  Lisa Boise, Office Administrator, Department of Plant Biology, 265 Morrill Hall, 505 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.  Phone:  217-333-3261.

Closing date:  For full consideration, applications, including an email address, must be submitted by July 25, 2008.  Interviews may be conducted before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.