Scientific Research Specialist CL2

Description

The individual in this position provides scientific and field research technical support to the University of Maines wild blueberry research program based at Blueberry Hill Farm (BHF) in Jonesboro with occasional duties at the Wymans Center for Wild Blueberry Research and Innovation in Old Town. The position supports multiple faculty researchers working on wild blueberry entomology plant pathology integrated pest management (IPM) crop management and irrigation/sustainability and assists with federally funded minor-crop pesticide research conducted under the IR-4 program. The incumbent establishes and maintains research plots scouts and samples for insect pests and diseases collects and manages field research data and assists with irrigation and water-use studies. The position also assists the Farm Superintendent with general farm operations and equipment needs including operating tractors and other equipment during planting pruning and harvest ensuring the farm has reliable cross-trained support across research and production activities. Full-time regular position 40 hours per week 5 days per week. Normal daily work hours are Monday Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position pays $21.93/hour or applicable transfer rate in accordance with the ACSUM collective bargaining agreement.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assists faculty researchers (e.g. in plant pathology entomology agroecology IPM/crop management weed science and irrigation/sustainability) with establishing maintaining and harvesting wild blueberry field research plots at Blueberry Hill Farm in Jonesboro and occasionally at the Wymans Center in Old Town.
• Conducts field scouting and sample collection for insect pests (e.g. blueberry maggot spotted wing drosophila) and diseases (e.g. mummy berry stem and leaf diseases; and Collects weekly in-season crop phenology data.
• Assists with IPM research including deployment and monitoring of insect traps disease incidence surveys and collection of field-plot data.
• Supports irrigation and water-use research including installing operating and maintaining irrigation equipment and soil moisture monitoring instrumentation.
• Assists with IR-4 minor-crop pesticide research including preparing and applying experimental treatments maintaining required Maine Commercial Pesticide Applicators
• License maintaining application and safety records (e.g. FIFRA Good Laboratory Practice Standards) and assisting with residue/tolerance sample collection in support of EPA registration petitions.
• Contacts vendors and suppliers to order research and farm supplies and assists faculty with sourcing materials for field trials.
• Enter organize and maintain research data (yield pest and disease counts weather irrigation) in spreadsheets/databases for faculty use and supports student research assistants and seasonal field staff on data collection protocols and the safe operation of field equipment.
• Prepares analyzes and ships samples for laboratory analysis.
• Assists in the preparation of scientific reports and manuscripts as well as research-related outreach publications and presentations.
• Assists the Farm Superintendent with general farm and mechanical support including routine equipment upkeep and operates farm tractors and other equipment during peak management pruning and harvest periods.
• Coordinate and supervise yearly soil sampling at Blueberry Hill Farm and other MAFES
• Maintains and updates logs checklists work records and safety documentation
• Adheres to all safety protocols and assists with maintaining compliance in general areas.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level at MAFES facilities in coordination with the MAFES associate director and superintendents as needed.

About the University:
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11900 undergraduate and graduate students and 2500 employees located on the Orono campus the regional campus in Machias and throughout the state. UMaine is a land sea and space grant university and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine Systems flagship institution. UMaine is the states public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution dedicated to providing excellent teaching research and service for Maine the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at .

The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefitsfor employees including but not limited to tuition benefits (employee and dependent) comprehensive insurance coverage including medical dental vision life insurance and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.

UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities excellent public schools safe neighborhoods high quality medical care little traffic and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Visit the Maine Office of Tourismto learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer.

Qualifications:
Required:

• Bachelors degree in a field related to the area of research or equivalent and more than 2 years of related laboratory research experience. Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education required of the assigned position.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately collect record and organize field research data.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and overcome challenges.
• Communication interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers supervisors the public etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Ability to learn and correctly apply field research and data collection protocols under the direction of faculty researchers and to identify or learn to identify common wild blueberry insect pests diseases and plant growth stages.
• Possesses a valid Maine Class B drivers license or ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment.
• Possesses a Maine pesticide applicators license or ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment
• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions including heat cold dust mud and snow.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Preferred:

• Higher education degree (MS MA PhD) in agricultural sciences or a related field.
• Previous experience with pesticide application and IR-4 trials.
• 1-3 years of experience working in commercial agricultural settings and/or agricultural research trials preferably with small-fruit crops.
• Previous experience with agricultural irrigation systems (pivot lateral line drip).
• Experience with basic carpentry and maintenance of power tools and equipment.
• Demonstrated skills with data management and statistical analysis (e.g. Google & Microsoft Office Suites R MATLAB ArcGIS)

Other Information:

To be considered for this position you will need to Apply and upload the documentation listed below:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience interests and suitability for the position
2.) aresume/curriculum vitae

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requestedto provide a list of names and contact information for references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

For full consideration materials must be submitted by4: October 30 2026.

For questions about the search please contact search committee chair Lee Hecker at

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening and post offer physical.

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law the System does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex sexual orientation transgender status gender gender identity or expression ethnicity national origin citizenship status familial status ancestry age disability (physical or mental) genetic information pregnancy or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education programs and activities and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall Room 412 Orono ME 04469-5713 by calling View phone number on us.fitly.work or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act or Clery Act mandates that all Title IV institutions such as the University prepare publish and distribute an Annual Security Report (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the Universitys crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the Universitys current campus security policies. You may view the Universitys Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department 81 Rangeley Rd. The University of Maine Orono ME 04469-5794 or call View phone number on us.fitly.work.

Required Experience:

IC