Research Support Specialist I

Culture of Inclusion and Community Standards :

As a university founded to be a place where any person can find instruction in any study, diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission.

We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation.

As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. .

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell.

These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. ; .

Department Background :

The section of Plant Pathology of the School of Integrative Plant Science is making new scientific discoveries about the interactions between plants and microbes and developing innovative solutions to address the challenges of 21st century agriculture across the globe.

At the same time, the section provides essential information to decision-makers, including agriculture producers, educators, policymakers, home gardeners, and local communities.

Rewards And Benefits :

Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and great benefits

Position Summary :

• While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences;
• being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective;

speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work / life integration of oneself and others.

This research program specializes in applied plant pathology, mycology, and community / stakeholder education. The program’s mission is to provide a better understanding of the relationships between life history features of fungal plant pathogens of fruit crops and applied disease management practices.

Understanding the impacts that management practices have on aspects of pathogen life history such as survival, inoculum production, community structure, and propensity for resistance development will, in turn, allow for the sustainability and refinement of such practices to better manage disease.

The research program focuses on integrating basic and applied research to develop improved management strategies for fruit diseases of concern to New York producers.

Under the direction of the supervisor, assist in planning, designing, implementing, conducting, and analyzing experiments and / or research projects according to plan.

Conduct or supervise personnel conducting research experiments and provide preliminary analysis aimed at understanding pathogens mitigating diseases of small fruit and tree fruit crops, including laboratory and field research, as well as occasional greenhouse and growth chamber research.

Develop protocols and prepare media for the testing of pathogen drug resistance in addition to the preparation of inoculum of plant pathogens, and perform isolation, culturing, and maintenance of several plant pathogenic bacterial and fungi from tissue samples and growth media.

Co-coordinate chemical management trials as a pesticide handler as needed. Perform inoculation field plots with plant pathogens, hand thin stone fruit, maintain nursery plots, and assess field plots for disease.

The research support specialist will coordinate research efforts for greenhouse and perform in vitro pathogenicity assays on fruit and fruit crops for bacterial or fungal pathogens, and plants in the growth chamber or greenhouse for adequate growth and contamination.

Provide oversight of and / or schedule cleaning, maintenance, and organization of laboratory and field facilities as needed to ensure a clean working environment and follow health and safety regulations.

The research support specialist would provide oversight and training for graduate students on the use of the digital microscopy, fertigation, and colorimeter.

The technician would also provide oversite for training in the above-mentioned areas for new technical and postdoctoral staff, and graduate students.

This is a one-year term appointment with possibility of renewal contingent upon successful performance and secured funding.

Required Qualifications :

• Experience in and / or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color.
• Experience working with diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing programs.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and wellbeing.
• Ability to serve as an advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Bachelor’s Degree and 2 to 4 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination in a research laboratory or related field.

Proven ability to isolate and culture plant pathogens from infected tissues. Maintain and inoculate fruit and tree fruit plants in the field and greenhouse is necessary.

Proven ability to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing. Must demonstrate effective listening skills, sound judgment, excellent reasoning and decision-making skills, meticulous record keeping and ability to work with diverse personalities.

Must be able to work both indoors and in the field under pressure with a great deal of initiative. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects.

Must be able to work independently as well as in a coordinated and cordial fashion with members of the program. Ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy with a wide range of internal and external constituencies.

Must have demonstrated ability to handle sensitive / confidential material in a professional manner. Must have demonstrated proficient in computer application including Microsoft Word, Excel, SAS, CLC Main workbench, Linux, DataGraph, and SigmaPlot.

Must be able to periodically lift up to 50 lbs. Must have and maintain an unrestricted drivers license and be cleared to drive for university business.

Must possess or be willing to obtain Certified Pesticide Handler License within first six months of employment. Must demonstrate a history of commitment to DEI and an inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications :

Bachelor’s Degree with 3-5 years’ experience working in an applied microbiology lab on isolation and culturing of plant pathogens from infected tissues, and inoculation of tree fruit plants in the field and greenhouse.

Must possess a Certified Pesticide Applicator License and have participated on organizational DEI initiatives.

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

No relocation assistance is available for this position.

Familiarize yourself with Cornell's as well as the university's .

University Job Title :

Research Support Spec I

Job Family : Academic Support

Academic Support

Level : Pay Rate Type :

Pay Rate Type : Salary

Salary

Pay Range :

$58,660.00 - $62,270.00

Remote Option Availability :

Fully Onsite

Company : Contract College

Contract College

Contact Name : Jessica Townley

Jessica Townley

Job Titles and Pay Ranges :

Non-Union Positions

Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria :

Prior relevant work or industry experience

Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position

Unique applicable skills

Academic Discipline (faculty pay ranges reflects 9-month annual salary)

To learn more about Cornell’s non-union staff job titles and pay ranges, see .

Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see .

Current Employees :

If you currently work at Cornell University, please exit this website and log in to using your Net ID and password. Select the Career icon on your Home dashboard to view jobs at Cornell.

Online Submission Guidelines :

Most positions at Cornell will require you to apply online and submit both a resume / CV and cover letter. You can upload documents either by dragging and dropping them into the dropbox or by using the upload icon on the application page.

For more detailed instructions on how to apply to a job at Cornell, visit on the HR website.

Employment Assistance :

For general questions about the position or the application process, please contact the Recruiter listed in the job posting or email .

If you require an accommodation for a disability in order to complete an employment application or to participate in the recruiting process, you are encouraged to contact Cornell University's Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX at voice (607) 255-2242, or email at .

Applicants that do not have internet access are encouraged to visit your local library, or local Department of Labor. You may also request an appointment to use a dedicated workstation in the Office of Talent Attraction and Recruitment, at the Ithaca campus, by emailing .

Notice to Applicants :

Please read the required Notice to Applicants statement by . This notice contains important information about applying for a position at Cornell as well as some of your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.

EEO Statement :

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA / EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex / gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and / or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and / or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds.

We encourage individuals from underrepresented and / or marginalized identities to apply.

2024-05-01