Plant Pathology Field Biologist

PLANT PATHOLOGY FIELD BIOLOGIST
About us

Ag Metrics Group (formerly Pacific Ag Group) has been a leading American agricultural consulting and contract research organization for over 40 years. Our diverse clientele includes manufacturers of new agricultural products, grower cooperatives, and state and federal governments. We serve agricultural communities on the American West Coast, East Coast and Midwest through three regional centers: Pacific Ag Research, Michigan Ag Research, and Florida Ag Research. From these facilities, our scientists conduct:

• Pesticide Research
• Entomological Research
• Plant Pathology Research
• Plant Nematology Research
• Integrated Pest Management Research
• ​Biostimulants Research
• Precision Agriculture
• Commercial Product Development ​
• Agronomy Research

Our national research team is comprised of scientists, technicians, and crop consultants that specialize in field and laboratory investigations for the fruit, vegetable and field crop industries. We focus on solving crop production challenges through advanced diagnostics, focused experimentation, and testing new crop production technologies for a diverse clientele.

​Job Description:

Michigan Ag Research, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ag Metrics Group, is seeking an enthusiastic team member as a Field Biologist to work with Midwestern crops out of the Albion, Michigan facility.

A successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary program focused on scientific investigations in crop protection, sustainable farming methods, and the development of new agricultural products for a diverse clientele. The position is an agricultural field biologist position, not a lab position. Candidates with field research experience will be given preference.

Responsibilities:

Conduct field/greenhouse trials as well as laboratory assays to characterize crop protection products for the control of crop pests, focusing especially foliar, soil, and seed-applied treatments. Crops to include field, fruit, greenhouse, and vegetable crops of the Mid-Western United States and Southeast Canada.

• Assist in applying experimental and commercial compounds to target crops.
• Isolate and develop an inventory of common plant pathogens.
• Characterize efficacy, product characteristics, and crop safety of test materials following treatment.
• Lead data collection, review of trial research, and interpretation of results in technical reports.
• Manage scheduling and conduct of daily trial assessments working in coordination with other staff biologists.
• Timely and organized data management from collection through reporting. Maintenance of site records for trial conditions.
• Manage local field and equipment records as needed for any regulated research (with appropriate training provided).
• Attend continuing education training for professional development and licensing requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Degree in the field of horticulture, plant pathology, crop protection, agriculture, or related disciplinary sciences.
• Basic working knowledge of experiment design and field trial management.
• Willing to routinely handle and apply chemicals and other crop protectants safely and in complete accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Ability to work independently as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to work in field, greenhouse, and lab environments.
• Able to do physical work common to the establishment, harvest of plots that includes lifting, open fieldwork under warm daytime temperatures, and expect overtime schedules during peak season.

Equipment skills:

• Scales, boom sprayers, tillage, common hand tools, microscope, pipettes.
• Computer skills: MS-Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Valid driver’s license and MI Pesticide Applicators License (within 6 months of hire).

Desired:

• MS with at least 1-year relevant experience.
• Experience in fungal and bacterial isolation and storage.
• Educational focus on field pest management, research management tools, course work in entomology, IPM, plant pathology, nematology, crop production, and statistics, experimental design, and analysis of results.
• Previous experience in crop pest management and chemical pesticide efficacy research in the field, greenhouse, and lab; and preparation of formal written research reports/presentations.
• Knowledge and/or experience in soil pest biology and research.
• Knowledge and/or experience in vegetable and/or fruit diseases.

Compensation:

• Company offers Medical and Dental Insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, 401K and Profit-Sharing, paid travel for professional training and meetings, and other benefits.
• Pay commensurate with experience and skills.

In addition to a resume, please provide a cover letter that explains why you are uniquely qualified and are the best candidate to be considered for this Michigan position to Brian Cortright, Midwest Area Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $48,995.00 - $124,600.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
All customers and employees must wear mask indoors. Common surfaces are sanitized regularly.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Molecular biology: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: One location