Biological Scientist II 

Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field and three years of experience or Master’s degree in biology or a related field with one year of relevant experience.

1. Assists Faculty and agricultural assistants’ trains and supervises crew and junior laboratory personnel to comply with related policies.
2. Supervise, lead, and manage plant breeding, evaluation, and research activities and the research team.
3. Manage timesheet approvals
4. Implement and conduct experiments and analysis for plant breeding, evaluation, selection and research. Specific experiments include growing, maintaining, observing and evaluating plants; collecting pollen, emasculating flowers, making crosses, collecting fruit and seeds, extracting seeds, treating seeds, germinating seeds, growing seedlings, transplanting seedlings, developing and maintaining breeding populations; evaluating plant performance and development, disease and pest resistance, crop quality and yield, visually and using instruments; making selections, propagating selections or varieties by cutting, division, grafting, and/or tissue culture; monitor and adjust moisture, EC, plant nutrient status, etc.; photographing and describing breeding lines and experimental cultivars botanically. 
5. Records plants, observations and measurements; compiles and interprets results; prepares and presents reports; prepare plant patent applications.
6. Assist scouting plants to detect and identify pathogens, insects, weeds, etc.; develops pest management plans; selects pesticides; makes pesticide application requests; and, if needed, applies pesticides.
7. Sets up, maintains, calibrates, operates, and tests equipment and instruments for pH, EC, fertility, moisture level, soluble solids (Brix), sugar content, acidity, pollen viability, seed viability, and other parameters. Prepare leaves and soil sampling schedule, interpret lab reports and adjust fertilization program accordingly.
8. Prepare, review, and update protocols for the plant breeding and research program. 
9. Orders and inventories materials, supplies, and equipment.
10. Implements and updates chemical hygiene plans; inventory and reporting of chemicals and chemical wastes; updating biosafety documents; and other activities that are needed.

48-55K depending on education and experience 

Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field and three years of experience or Master’s degree in biology or a related field with one year of relevant experience.

Certified for pesticide application, or able to obtain the certification within the first 3 months of employment.

• At least two years’ working experience with blackberries and/or ornamentals.
• Ability to write and communicate well with diverse groups of people and growers.
• Skills to develop breeding populations, grow horticultural crops under subtropical climatic conditions, evaluate yield and berry quality, and control diseases and weeds.
• Strong project and people management skills. 

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume in one document.  

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.