[MPWG] research technician position

[Joe-Ann McCoy]

Attached is a research technician posting for the Bent Creek Institute Medicinal Germplasm Repository located at the NC Arboretum in Asheville.  Please circulate the position description to anyone you think may be interested. 
Joe-Ann
 <<ResearchTechnician019169-2-09.pdf>> 
CAREER OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
Research Technician
POSITION #: 6055-0158-0019-169, full-time with benefits
This is a time-limited position, based on available funding for two years.
CLASSIFICATION: Research Technician
Career Banded position, no grade
WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week with occasional overtime, variable schedule.
Typical Hours Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
However, availability for periodic field work beginning at 6:00 AM is required.
GRADE/SALARY RANGE: Career-Banded position, no grade
Salary Band Range $ 22,915 - $58,881
Starting Salary: $30,130 - $37,000
Competency Level: Work is identified at the Journey Competency Level. For current
State Employees during the implementation of Career-banding, this job is
considered at salary grade 60
POSTING DATES: February 24 - March 17, 2009
The Bent Creek Institute (BCI) is a component of The North Carolina Arboretum, an affiliate of the University of North Carolina,
located in Asheville, NC. BCI conducts innovative translational research to discover, develop and validate natural medicines and
integrative strategies for human health and wellness. An important initiative of BCI is the Germplasm Laboratory. The mission and
objectives of the germplasm unit include the acquisition, maintenance, characterization, evaluation, enhancement, and distribution of
medicinal plant germplasm and associated information. The germplasm unit is unique in respect to its long-term plans to develop an
extensive program to manage both ex situ and in situ populations of genetically variable medicinal germplasm. Program emphasis is
on the collection and long-term storage of native medicinal plant germplasm for analytical research, propagation and conservation
purposes.
Essential Functions of the Position:
This position serves as a primary training position for the medicinal germplasm program, and will provide professional support by
curating collections of medicinal and nutraceutical plants. Accessions in these collections will be distributed in collaboration with
regional scientists for conservation research, crop development and improvement, drug discovery and new product development.
The incumbent will typically spend 50% of work time in field, forest, greenhouse or laboratory settings, and 50% in office doing data
entry, coordination and communication activities. The incumbent must have sufficient schedule flexibility to engage in occasional
weekend work, extensive field work beginning at 6 AM, and participate in some overnight travel. Functional responsibilities of the
Research Technician include:
Specimen collection and processing:
o Collects native plants and seeds,
o Prepare samples for herbarium and seed storage.
Other Research support:
o Helps establish and maintain field and greenhouse experiments.
o Prepares plant material for analysis.
Laboratory/Subject care:
o Will be expected to work with bees for control-pollinated regeneration experiments in screened cages.
o Assists with the care of plant materials.
o Maintains inventory of equipment, supplies and related research materials; orders supplies.
o Performs minor repairs and operates equipment and instruments in support of research laboratory.
Data collection and analysis:
o Observes, collects and records data; enters information into database.
o Organizes and tabulates data using appropriate methods.
o Assists with representation of results through preparation of written reports and graphic presentations.
Laboratory activity coordination: May serve as a lead worker for temporary staff and volunteers in program activities.
Continued on next page
CAREER OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT, continued
Research Technician
Competencies:
Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: General knowledge of plant science sufficient to perform laboratory procedures and
tests in support of research protocols including statistical analysis. Knowledge and skills to operate and troubleshoot instrumentation
and equipment as needed with limited supervision. Instruments and equipment used will include microscopes, autoclave, vacuum
sealer, seed blowing equipment, tissue culture equipment and field GPS. (Journey level)
Research Support: Ability to work in the required environments, to conduct routine collection and testing and procedures dictated
by the research protocol, to assist in the layout and maintenance of subject environment (Journey level)
Data Collection: Ability to organize and tabulate data, perform statistical analysis (SAS) and ensure the quality control of data
collection. Strong computer skills will be needed to maintain databases, perform analytical tasks, track inventory and present data
through word processing and presentation software. (Journey level)
Laboratory/subject care: Ability and willingness to work indoors and outdoors under a variety of environmental conditions, and to
work with bees in screened cages. Ability to perform minor repairs and operate equipment and instruments in support of research
laboratory and field programs. Ability to maintain inventory. (Journey level)
Communication skills: Strong verbal and writing skills to assist with the preparation and delivery of reports and instructions. (Journey
level)
Behavioral competencies of particular importance in this position will be accountability and attention to detail.
Training & Experience:
Minimum Training and Experience requirement: Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent
combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Demonstrated
possession of the competencies necessary to perform work.
Preferred qualifications: Master's Degree in biological sciences, plant physiology, horticulture, agronomy, botany, environmental
science or some other field of plant science that would include statistical analysis training and at least 12 semester hours of coursework
in plant biology; previous experience in native plant identification, field research, tissue culture, organic agriculture, or growing
horticultural crops; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Application Process: All applicants must submit the following:
o Completed N. C. State Application (PD107). This form can be obtained from the Employment Opportunities Page of The
North Carolina Arboretum website, www.ncarboretum.org/jobopenings.htm
o Resume and cover letter
o Official transcripts for relevant degrees and two letters of reference will be required from candidates selected for interview.
Any expense for generation of transcripts will be the responsibility of the candidate.
Applicants should submit the application materials to:
The North Carolina Arboretum, attn. Human Resources
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806-9315
Applications received after the end of the posting period may be considered, at the discretion of the hiring department.
**New employees paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice.
**The North Carolina Arboretum is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Joe-Ann McCoy, PhD
Director,  Medicinal Germplasm Repository
Bent Creek Institute / NCSU
The North Carolina Arboretum 
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806-9315
828-665-2492 ext. 268 


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