Senior Research Technician - Crop Protection Genetics

The Land Institute is seeking a Senior Research Technician in Crop Protection Genetics to support breeding for disease resistance in perennial grain crops. Responsibilities include conducting field and greenhouse experiments, managing data collection, and collaborating on research projects. The role involves various tasks such as sample collection, lab work, and coordinating with team members. The position is based in Salina, KS and requires on-site presence.
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 Senior Research Technician in Crop Protection Genetics, you will support and enact daily operations of your program to support and 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 season flow of sample collection, processing, analysis, and planning. Your daily tasks will include things such as maintaining ongoing experiments by weeding, observing, harvesting, mowing, collecting regular samples in the field, 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 are a colleague who brings diligence and curiosity to the work needed to realize perennial grains on 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 both independently and collaboratively.

Primary Responsibilities + Expectations
• Plant, collect data, rate disease, harvest, and thresh samples for field and greenhouse experiments
• Collaborate, co-design, and implement research projects
• Assist with design and maintenance of field and greenhouse trials, including set-up/take down of irrigation systems and maintenance of caterpillar tunnels
• Travel to offsite locations for data and sample collection; organize offsite field management.
• Culture plant pathogenic organisms, assist with identification, and make microscopic observations
• Monitor and care for greenhouse, tunnel, LED room, and other potted plants
• Test mycotoxins in grain in lab; may occasionally conduct other lab procedures such as DNA extraction, ELISA and PCR
• Develop and maintain detailed & organized sample storage, accurate data collection, and easily accessible/understandable project overviews, protocols, and directions for team members in shared folders, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Prepare samples & perform statistical analysis of project results
• Correspond with researchers, farmers, and civic scientists to exchange samples and information
• Coordinate with the team to maintain working equipment and order supplies for projects & day-to-day activities and budget records.
• Operate trucks and tractors & trailers and coordinate with the Farm Senior Research Technician for repairs and maintenance.
• Coordinate with program lead to maintain records of program activities related to organizational goals using Airtable
• Schedule and coordinate ongoing internal program meetings

Supervisory Responsibilities
• Direct and oversee the day-to-day tasks of research assistants in the lab for field and lab tasks, as well as assisting with any necessary training
• Support, train, and assist in mentoring research residents and graduate students

Additional Opportunities
• 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

Who You Are
• Master’s degree in plant pathology, plant breeding, or genetics or a Bachelor’s degree with equivalent professional or research experience
• Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills
• Computer literacy; able to use word processing and spreadsheet applications
• Familiarity with statistical analyses and programming languages such as R; interest and ability to learn new software such as R, AirTable, and other programs for statistical analysis and lab organization
• Desire to join collaborations with scientists or other agricultural stakeholders
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions: sun, wind, heat, etc.
• Ability to work well with others, including people from different cultures, political parties, socioeconomic classes, etc.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and honor relationships with diverse groups and people and partners
• Ability and willingness to provide training on basic tasks, supervise hourly workers, and create a supportive atmosphere
• Desire to work independently, with minimum supervision.
• Possess a valid driver’s license or willingness to obtain a license

Organizational Competencies
• Mission Driven: You are passionate about the mission of The Land Institute and are interested in aligning your skills and personal genius to benefit this work.
• Courageous: You do not retreat or shy away from hard things. You face challenges and conflict with professionalism, grace, and resolve.
• A Boundary Spanner: You bring an interdisciplinary skill set and you model self-awareness in your own preferences. You are motivated to always be learning and you adapt to span boundaries with people across a range of different perspectives.
• Inspiring and Inspired: You are inspired by the people around you, finding and harnessing the genius in your colleagues to meet the organizational objectives, and you are inspiring to others through example and your own genius applied.
• Growth Mindset: You have the vulnerability to know what you don’t know, admit your flaws, and learn from others to grow and develop yourself and the organization.
• A Creative Collaborator: You believe in the power of a diverse collective to generate ideas and solutions. You excel at strategic thinking, being open to new perspectives, and managing innovation. You bring a playful, positive approach to the work and like meeting new people and deepening connections with those you already know.
• Excited by change: You embrace nascent and evolving situations and enjoy engaging new people, ideas, and possibilities. You think about change holistically: internal, external, organizational, and cultural. You like iterating systems, building efficiency, and operationalizing design. You are willing to jump in and contribute to new projects as needed.

Qualifications That Could Help You Succeed
• Experience in agriculture and working with plants
• Experience managing qualitative and quantitative data
• Strong knowledge and experience in statistical analysis

Hours

Generally available to work forty hours per week, including in-person and digital meetings, primarily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time on weekdays when most of our staff and collaborators are working. Some evening and weekend working hours will be needed. 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 based in Salina, KS, and will require travel for events, meetings, and fieldwork. Primary travel will happen in the United States. Some limited remote work during the off-season is possible. Seasonal travel may be as much as 10% of the time.

Environmental + Working Conditions
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and phone.
• Work in field and laboratory research settings in all types of weather
• Long hours of fieldwork
• Travel in varying conditions

Compensation + Benefits

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

The salary range for this position is $57,000 - $71,000 annually.
• 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, follow the link to our website and submit a resume/CV and cover letter. Review of applications will begin March 21, 2025. Position will remain open until filled.
Please answer the following in the cover letter:
• Why are you interested in this position?
• What interests you about the Crop Protection Genetics program?
• What experience do you have that might help you be successful in this role?
• What are you most curious about with regard to The Land Institute 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.